Saucy, Cheesy, Pesto Meatball Sub Recipe (vegan) - simplyceecee.co (2024)

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Cheesy, saucy, and meaty, this Vegan Meatball Sub with herby, garlicky pesto stuffed in a crusty rustic bun will satisfy all your comfort food cravings! Made with vegan meatballs, rich red marinara, homemade pesto, and jalapeno cheese, this filling and indulgent sandwich is a saucy handful of delicious!

Saucy, Cheesy, Pesto Meatball Sub Recipe (vegan) - simplyceecee.co (1)

Honestly, this super easy, vegan meatball sub has become a bit of a thing at our house. Everyone is addicted to its garlicky, saucy, cheesy scrumptiousness; and I'm not mad about that. It's simple to make, super satiating, and downright delish!

As summer becomes Fall, everyone seems to be craving comfort food, and this epic sub fits the bill. It's a big flavourful handful of warm, saucy, creamy crunchiness that leaves tomato sauce dripping down your arms and a wonderful pesto and crumb filled mess around your plate. Deee-lightful!

Vegan Meatball Sub Ingredients

Meatballs: Obviously 'meat'balls are the star ingredient in this sub sandwich. They give the sub its toothsomeness. I use the Gardein Meatless Meatballs because they are amazeballs! Not even kidding - so good! But you can use your favourite store-bought or homemade meatballs.

Marinara Sauce: A classic meatball sub needs marinara sauce. I love to make my own marinara (Rich Red Marinara Sauce) and usually have some on hand; but when I don't, I use store-bought like Rao's Brand Marinara.

Saucy, Cheesy, Pesto Meatball Sub Recipe (vegan) - simplyceecee.co (2)

Pesto: Pesto is really easy to make and super versatile. A classic green pesto is made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, oil, salt, and hard cheese. This herbaceous, garlicky, tangy condiment brings a freshness and lightness to everything from pasta to pizza and sauces.

Cheese: For the cheesy, salty, umami, nuttiness in the marinara, I add my homemade parmesan (Amazing Vegan Parmesan Cheese). You can make this super quick parmesan or use whatever dairy-free parmesan you have on hand. It's optional, but another delicious layer of flavour.

Saucy, Cheesy, Pesto Meatball Sub Recipe (vegan) - simplyceecee.co (3)

More Cheese: There are so many great plant-based cheese brands available now. Availability depends on where you live obviously; but if you can find it, Miyoko's Mozz or her Sharp Farmhouse Cheese Wheel, both are excellent choices for this sandwich. Find your favourite meltable option and pile it on.

Bread: AKA, the incredible, crunchy vessel that will deliver all this deliciousness to your mouth. Choose a rustic country baguette, a sourdough or ciabatta. Something sturdy enough to hold those meatballs and saucy marinara without getting soggy - because that crunch is everything!

Optional Toppings: I love the pungency that white onions bring to this yummy meatball sub. So slice up as many as you like and add them on top. As well the fresh, peppery flavour of arugula is a flavour match made in heaven. Add a sprinkle or two of hot pepper flakes and some fresh basil ribbons to take your sub to the next level of delicious.

Saucy, Cheesy, Pesto Meatball Sub Recipe (vegan) - simplyceecee.co (4)

This saucy vegan meatball sub with garlicky pesto could easily be THE sandwich of the season. It's quick, it's delicious, it's satiating, and it's all vegan - so YAY to all that wonderfulness!

More Delicious Vegan Recipes

One-Pot Vegetable Bean Soup - add a swirl of pesto into this vegetable soup.
Very Vegetarian Dagwood Sandwich - Pinterest sensation for a reason!
Creamy Rosé Vegetable Pasta - quick and easy, hearty and delicious!
Easy White Sandwich Bread - fluffy and soft, this bread is easy and delicious!

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Saucy, Cheesy, Pesto Meatball Sub Recipe (vegan) - simplyceecee.co (5)

Easy Vegan Meatball Sub with Pesto

Succulent and saucy, these plant-based meatballs are smothered in rich marinara, garlicky pesto, melty cheese and greens on a crusty roll. Serve them for a quick vegan weeknight meal, on game day or at your next family gathering. Crowd favorite by far!

Author : Tracy Halasz

Servings:4 servings

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

INGREDIENTS

Pesto Sauce Recipe

    Meatballs, Buns, and Toppings

    • 12 vegan meatballs (I used Gardein)
    • 1 jar marinara sauce*
    • 1 baguette, rustic country bread, split
    • 8 oz vegan cheese, sliced or grated*
    • red or white onion, sliced
    • arugula leaves for garnish
    • basil, ribbons (optional)
    • red pepper flakes

    INSTRUCTIONS

    Garlicky Green Pesto

    • Easy Vegan Pesto Sauce Recipe

    Marinara + Meatballs

    • Warm marinara sauce on the stove in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat. Add the vegan meatballs. Ensure they are covered in sauce and let them simmer while you prepare the bread.

    • Marinara Sauce - use your favourite store-bought marinara (like Rao's) or make it from scratch using this simple marinara sauce recipe (freezes well).

    • Meatless Meatballs - I recommend Gardein meatless meatballs, but use your favourite brand.

    Putting the Meatball Subs Together

    • Preheat the oven to broil with the oven rack in the top ⅓ of the oven.

    • Slice or grate the cheese. I use Miyokos mozzarella or jalapeno havarti.

    • Split the rustic sub/bun in half and place on a baking sheet.

    • Smear one side with pesto and the other side with marinara sauce.

    • Sprinkle cheese over the marinara side.

    • Broil (open faced) until golden and the cheese is soft and melty.

      Remove from the oven.

    • Add meatballs and a dollop of marinara, sliced onions, arugula, basil ribbons, and a sprinkle of hot pepper flakes.

    • Slice into individual size sandwiches.

    NOTES

    Pesto - commercial pesto can be higher in added oil, I've kept the oil pretty low in this recipe. Adjust to your taste preference.

    Plant-based Meatballs - I used Gardein Meatless Meatballs which are fast, flavourful and have amazing texture (they are found in the frozen section at the market). Easily swap in your favourite vegan meatball.

    Cheese - I use Miyokos mozzarella cheese, but use whichever mozza, pepper jack or provolone cheese you prefer.

    Sub/Bun - choose a rustic crusty roll that will stand up to the sauce and the weight of the meatballs without getting soggy.

    This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.

    Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @ceeceecooks or tag #ceeceecooks

    Saucy, Cheesy, Pesto Meatball Sub Recipe (vegan) - simplyceecee.co (2024)

    FAQs

    What cheese is good on meatball marinara sub? ›

    The cheese should have a delicate flavor that will not overshadow the juicy meatballs in zesty marinara. That narrows it down to provolone or mozzarella cheese, the most popular choices at delis and restaurants from coast to coast.

    Is there a vegetarian pesto sauce? ›

    Traditional basil pesto is not vegetarian because animal rennet is used in the production of the cheeses it contains. However, it is perfectly possible to create vegetarian pesto using cheese substitutes such as tofu or nutritional yeast.

    How do you keep meatball subs from getting soggy? ›

    Finally, toast the rolls to prevent them from getting too soggy with sauce. Of course, some crispy-gone-soggy bites are welcome, just as the cheese pulls, sauce drips and messy fingers are, too.

    Why is pesto not vegan? ›

    Most pesto is not considered vegan for the sole reason that basic recipes call for some kind of hard cheese like Parmesan or pecorino, which is not suitable for vegans. Some authentic Parmesan is even made using rennet, an enzyme found in the lining of a goat or calf's stomach.

    What is the difference between vegan pesto and pesto? ›

    With the rise of plant-based eating, more and more vegan pestos are hitting the market, some of which taste surprisingly like the real thing. Rather than simply omitting the cheese, they often contain tofu or nutritional yeast, which naturally has a cheesy, umami flavour and is packed full of vitamins.

    Is Prego pesto vegan? ›

    This product contains 2 ingredients that are not vegan and 4 ingredients that may not be vegan.

    What's the best cheese for meatball subs? ›

    Provolone Cheese: Thinly sliced provolone is best so that the cheese melts sufficiently to fully cover the bun and meatballs. Seasoned Olive Oil: Instead of just brushing the buns with olive oil before toasting, add garlic and oregano to the oil for an added layer of flavor to these meatball sandwiches.

    What toppings to put on a meatball marinara sub? ›

    I keep it classic with melty mozzarella cheese and sauce but you can go for onions, peppers, mushrooms, provolone, pepperoncini, jalapeños, parsley, sky's the limit!

    What goes well with meatball marinara sub? ›

    The best side dishes to serve with meatball subs are onion rings, french fries, kale chips, cheese curds, crispy green beans, blooming onion, coleslaw, mac and cheese, Caesar salad, pickles and stuffed mushrooms, antipasto salad, and Italian pasta salad.

    Does meatball marinara have cheese? ›

    INGREDIENTS: Wheat Flour, Pork and Lentil Meatballs (26%) [Pork, Lentils, Onion, Wheat Flour, Parsley, Salt, Garlic Purée, Potato Starch, Oregano, Water, Ground Black Pepper, Yeast], Water, Mature Cheddar Cheese (Milk), Tomato, Durum Wheat Semolina, Mozzarella Full Fat Soft Cheese (Milk), Tomato Paste, Rapeseed Oil, ...

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