Meatball subs are a delicious sandwich filled with seasoned meatballs, sauce, and cheese nestled in a soft sub roll. They make for a filling and satisfying lunch or dinner. But when you don’t finish your meatball sub in one sitting, you’re left wondering what is the best way to reheat them to preserve that just-made taste and texture.
There are a few methods you can use to reheat meatball subs. The goal is to heat the meatballs and bread without making things soggy. Reheating them properly will leave you with a meatball sub that tastes freshly made.
Should You Refrigerate Leftover Meatball Subs?
If you don’t finish your meatball sub, the first step is to properly store the leftovers. Meatball subs that contain meat and cheese should always be refrigerated. Leaving them out too long at room temperature allows bacteria to grow and can make you sick.
Once refrigerated, leftover meatball subs can safely be stored for 3 to 4 days. Make sure to wrap your meatball sub tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap before refrigerating. This prevents the bread from drying out and seals in moisture.
For best quality, try to reheat and enjoy your leftover meatball sub within a day or two. The flavors will start to deteriorate after that.
Reheating Meatball Subs in the Oven
One of the easiest and most effective ways to reheat a meatball sub is in the oven. This allows you to heat the entire sandwich evenly throughout.
Follow these steps:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Unwrap the meatball sub and place it on a baking sheet or oven-safe plate.
3. Put the meatball sub in the preheated oven and reheat for 5-10 minutes, until warmed through.
4. Check it regularly and remove it once the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
5. Enjoy your reheated meatball sub immediately.
The indirect heat of the oven gives you time to thoroughly warm the interior without overcooking the outside. Just be careful not to leave it in so long that the bread gets dried out.
Tips for Reheating Meatball Subs in the Oven
– Use the oven rack positioned in the middle for even heating.
– Place a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the top to prevent over-browning.
– Add a minute or two more to the reheating time if your meatball sub has been refrigerated longer.
– If the cheese didn’t melt enough, sprinkle a bit more shredded mozzarella or provolone on top and stick it back in the oven for a minute.
Microwave Method
The microwave provides a quick way to reheat your meatball sub. Just keep a close eye on it to avoid overcooking. Follow these instructions:
1. Unwrap the meatball sub and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Cover loosely with a paper towel to prevent splattering.
3. Microwave on medium power for 45 seconds.
4. Let it rest for 30 seconds, then microwave again for another 30 seconds, checking frequently.
5. Stop heating as soon as the bread is warm and the cheese is melted.
The start-and-stop method ensures the fillings get hot without drying out the bread or making the cheese rubbery. Check it and rotate the plate every 30 seconds to prevent cold spots.
Microwave Tips
– Microwave in 30-second intervals for the most control.
– Use a lower microwave power setting around 50% for more gentle reheating.
– Add more cheese slices if needed since the microwave can make cheese melt quickly.
– Covering with a damp paper towel provides some steam to make the bread softer.
Skillet Method
For a hot and toasty meatball sub with a crispy crust, use a skillet on the stovetop.
1. Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium heat.
2. Add your meatball sub and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, pressing down gently with a spatula.
3. Lower the heat if the bread browns too quickly.
4. Continue cooking and flipping until the cheese melts.
5. Slice in half and serve immediately.
The hot skillet crisps up the bread’s exterior while warming the interior. You get a nice contrast of textures. Just don’t press down too hard or the bread may tear.
Skillet Reheating Tips
– Use a lower heat for a longer time to make sure the middle heats through.
– Fry some onions or peppers along with the meatball sub for extra flavor.
– Brush the outside of the bread with olive oil or butter before searing for extra browning.
– Top with additional cheese near the end so it melts nicely over the meatballs.
Reheating Meatball Subs in the Air Fryer
An air fryer is a great way to make leftover meatball subs taste freshly made. The circulating hot air crisps up the bread’s exterior.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
2. Place the meatball sub in the air fryer basket.
3. Air fry for 3-5 minutes until hot and crispy.
4. Check frequently and remove once the cheese melts.
The air fryer gives you quick results similar to a skillet on the stovetop. Just watch the cooking time, as air fryers can overheat faster than an oven.
Air Fryer Recommendations
– Use cooking spray on the meatball sub for crisper reheating.
– Add a little shredded cheese on top near the end to melt over top.
– Adjust the temperature as needed based on your specific air fryer model.
– Cut the meatball sub in half so it reheats faster.
– Partially close the air fryer basket to prevent excessive browning.
How to Tell When Your Meatball Sub is Heated Through
It can be tricky knowing when the meatball sub is fully reheated in the middle. Here are some signs to look for:
– The bread feels warmed through when you press gently.
– Cheese is fully melted over the meatballs.
– Meatballs are hot throughout when you cut one in half.
– Inside of the bread is not doughy or soggy.
– Exterior of bread has crisped up slightly.
– Sauce and other fillings are warmed throughout.
It’s better to slightly underheat and give it a little extra time rather than overcooking the meatball sub. If the bread splits or meatballs dry out, it has likely been reheated too long.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While reheating meatball subs sounds simple, there are a few pitfalls to watch out for:
– Microwaving too long resulting in a chewy roll. Take it out early and finish off with a quick trip under the broiler if needed.
– Not covering with foil or a paper towel leads to dryness in the oven or microwave.
– Heating at too high of a temperature makes the cheese rubbery. Use medium heat.
– Pressing down too hard when pan-frying causes the bread to tear open. Be gentle.
– Leaving in the air fryer too long can make the bread rock hard.
– Failing to reheat until the inside of the meatballs are hot enough. Check doneness.
– Skipping the step of tightly wrapping the meatball sub before refrigerating causes the bread to stale prematurely.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Sauce
Along with leftover meatballs and bread, you may have extra sauce from your meatball subs too. Here are some storage and reheating tips for the sauce:
– Let the sauce cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container.
– Sauce keeps for 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
– To reheat, place the sauce in a small pot or microwave-safe bowl.
– Gently heat through on the stovetop or microwave until warmed throughout.
– Stir frequently to prevent burning.
– Add a little water or broth if the sauce seems too thick after reheating.
– Extra sauce can be served alongside your reheated meatball sub for dipping.
Other Serving Ideas for Leftover Meatball Subs
Don’t limit yourself to just reheating your leftover meatball subs as is. Get creative with these serving suggestions:
– Chop up the meatball sub and serve open-faced on a toasted baguette.
– Bake your leftover meatball sub into a casserole or lasagna.
– Top a pizza crust with sauce, meatballs, and cheese from your sub.
– Stuff large pasta shells with meatballs and sauce for a new meal.
– Combine chopped meatball sub with eggs, cheese, and spinach for a hearty breakfast sandwich or frittata.
– Make meatball sub salad lettuce wraps using up any extra meatballs and sauce.
With a little ingenuity, you can reinvent those leftovers into all sorts of delicious new dishes. Your leftover meatball sub will never get boring.
Conclusion
Meatball subs are too tasty not to finish, but when you do have leftovers, follow these reheating methods to enjoy your meal again later. Oven heating, microwaving, pan-frying, and air frying are all effective options. Just focus on gently heating through without overcooking. Check for doneness and add extra cheese as needed.
With proper storage and reheating, you can keep your meatball sub’s flavors intact for several days. So go ahead and split that footlong meatball sub. Just be ready to revive those leftovers in no time with these handy tips for reheating meatball subs to melty, saucy perfection.