A meatball sub is a classic Italian-American sandwich made with meatballs, marinara sauce, and cheese on a long submarine roll. While the meatballs, sauce, and cheese are key components, adding vegetables can provide extra flavor, texture, nutrition, and eye appeal to this already delicious sandwich.
When choosing vegetables for a meatball sub, you’ll want options that complement the flavors of the meat and sauce. Crunchy and flavorful vegetables help cut through the richness of the meatballs and cheese. You’ll also want vegetable toppings that add color for a more appetizing presentation.
Onions
Onions are one of the most popular vegetable toppings for meatball subs. Their pungent, slightly sweet flavor balances beautifully with the acidic tomato sauce and savory meatballs. Thinly sliced red onions offer a nice crispy texture. Caramelized onions deliver even bolder, sweeter notes after being cooked down. Both types pair excellently with a meatball sub.
Raw Red Onion
Thin slices of raw red onion offer brightness and crunch to counter the softness of the meatballs and bread. Their sharpness cuts through the rich flavors nicely. Simply scatter some thin slices of raw red onion over the top of the meatball sub before serving.
Caramelized Onions
For deeper flavor, cook sliced onions with a little oil over medium-low heat until softened and browned. The natural sugars will caramelize, bringing out the onions’ sweetness. Their texture will also become softer and more jam-like. Caramelized onions are delicious combined right into the meatball and sauce filling or sprinkled over the top of the finished sub.
Bell Peppers
Like onions, bell peppers (also called capsicums) have a delicious flavor that complements a meatball sub. Their crunchy juiciness brightens up each bite. Plus, they add vibrant colors to the sandwich.
Green Bell Peppers
Tart green bell peppers pair particularly well with a meatball sub. Try slicing them into long thin strips and scattering them over top of the meatballs and sauce. You can also dice them up and mix them right into the sauce for infused flavor in every bite.
Roasted Red Peppers
For a bolder, more robust flavor, try using roasted red peppers. Roast fresh red bell peppers over an open flame or under the broiler until charred. Place in a sealed bag or bowl to steam and then peel away the skins. Slice or dice the tender roasted peppers and incorporate them into your meatball sub filling or place them over the top of the finished sub.
Mushrooms
Sliced mushrooms are another excellent addition to a meatball sub. Mushrooms have an umami richness that enhances the flavors of the meatballs and sauce. They also have a hearty, almost meaty texture of their own.
Sliced Button Mushrooms
Fresh white or brown button mushrooms are the most commonly used variety. Simply wipe clean, slice, and saute them briefly in olive oil before adding them to your sub. They can be layered on top of the meatballs or mixed right into the sauce.
Sauteed Exotic Mushrooms
For extra flavor, use a medley of exotic mushroom varieties like cremini, oyster, shiitake, and porcini. Saute them in butter or oil and sprinkle over the sub. Their earthy flavors and unique textures take the sandwich to the next level.
Jalapenos
If you like some heat, diced or sliced jalapenos are a good choice for a meatball sub. These spicy green peppers have a fiery kick that balances the rich meatiness of the meatballs. The heat also cuts through the melted cheese and thick marinara sauce beautifully.
For milder spice, discard the jalapeno seeds and veins which contain most of the heat. For extra sizzle, leave them in. Scatter the diced jalapenos over your assembled meatball sub.
Pickles
Tangy pickle slices or relish make a bright contrast to a meatball sub’s ingredients. The vinegar cuts through the richness and gives each bite more zip. Simply layer pickle slices or spoon relish over the meatballs before topping with the cheese and bread.
Dill pickles are the most traditional choice, but bread and butter pickle chips, spicy pickled banana peppers, or other pickled vegetables work deliciously here as well.
Banana Peppers
In the same vein as pickles, pickled banana peppers lend pleasant acidity and crunch. Mildly hot, bright yellow banana peppers are available pickled in vinegar and salt brine. Slice them up and arrange over your meatball sub for fabulous flavor and color contrast.
Spinach
Leafy greens like spinach help cut through a meatball sub’s richness. Spinach also packs extra nutrition into the sandwich with vitamins like A, C, and iron. Use fresh spinach or thawed frozen spinach for convenience.
Saute the spinach briefly to wilt it down and mix it right into the marinara sauce filling. You can also scatter some raw baby spinach leaves over the top of the finished sub.
Tomatoes
Of course, the meatballs and marinara sauce offer plenty of tomato flavor already. But extra tomato slices or wedges complement a meatball sub wonderfully with added freshness. Use thick slices or wedges of ripe tomato layered over the top of the meatballs.
Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered, also make a lovely fresh topping. Try to use colorful heirloom tomato varieties for the prettiest presentation.
Roasted Eggplant
Eggplant has a rich, meaty texture that complements meatballs beautifully. Try roasting thick rounds or slices of eggplant until very tender and browned. Layer these over your meatball sub for more substance and hearty flavor.
Zucchini
Bright green fresh zucchini is another nice addition to a meatball sub. Thinly slice or julienne zucchini lengthwise into long strips. Saute the slices briefly until just tender but still crunchy. Scatter these crisp-tender zucchini ribbons over your sandwich for color and texture contrast.
Broccoli Rabe
For a more bitter, robust vegetable flavor, try using sauteed broccoli rabe. This green vegetable has leafy greens and broccoli-like buds. Saute in olive oil with garlic until the greens are wilted and stems are just tender. Layer over meatballs or mix into sauce for earthy depth.
Green Olives
Briny, salty green olives provide a nice savory umami pop of flavor. Try scattering some sliced or chopped green olives over your meatball sub. The salty brininess balances the richness beautifully.
Artichoke Hearts
Tender marinated artichoke hearts offer great texture, flavor, and eye appeal. Drain and slice artichoke hearts and arrange over the top of a meatball sub for Mediterranean flair.
Cherry Peppers
For some sweet heat, use pickled cherry peppers. These small round peppers pack a punch of acidic heat. Try slicing and layering them over your meatball sub for bright pops of flavor and color.
Sauteed Eggplant
Along with roasted eggplant, sauteeingamplifies eggplant’s rich flavor. Saute cubed or sliced Italian eggplant in olive oil until very tender and caramelized. Season with garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes. Scatter this mixture over meatball subs for heartiness.
Sauteed Zucchini
Instead of raw zucchini ribbons, you can also saute thinly sliced zucchini for more concentrated flavor. Saute briefly with olive oil, garlic, and seasonings until just tender. Add these flavorful sauteed zucchini slices over your meatball sub.
Sauteed Spinach
Raw baby spinach makes a nice fresh topping, but you can also saute spinach with olive oil and garlic for a more concentrated flavor. Make sure to cook it only until just wilted to keep some texture.
Sauteed Bell Peppers
Along with raw bell pepper strips, sauteeing brings out the natural sweetness in bell peppers. Try quickly sauteeing julienned strips or diced bell pepper pieces to scatter over your meatball sub.
Sauteed or Caramelized Onions
As mentioned earlier, cooking onions intensifies their flavor from raw. Both sauteed and caramelized onions pair fantastically on a meatball sub.
Sauteed Mushrooms
Like raw mushrooms, sauteed mushrooms add great umami flavor and texture. Saute your mushroom blend of choice in butter or olive oil before adding to your sub.
Giardiniera
For an extra flavor and texture boost, sprinkle tangy, crispy giardiniera over your meatball sub. This spicy Italian pickled vegetable mix typically contains items like cauliflower, carrots, peppers and olives soaked in vinegar.
Oregano
Dried or fresh oregano seasoning complements a meatball sub beautifully with its aromatic, woodsy notes. Simply sprinkle some over the top of the finished sandwich for an extra layer of Italian flavor.
Basil
Fresh basil leaves make a wonderful finishing touch to a meatball sub. Tuck whole leaves between layers or dice up leaves and sprinkle them over the top. Basil’s scent and flavor are perfectly at home on an Italian meatball sub.
Parsley
Like basil, fresh curly parsley leaves add color and herbaceous flavor. Chop up fresh parsley and sprinkle it onto your assembled meatball sub for freshness.
Chopped Garlic
Minced or pressed fresh garlic cloves provide a little extra punch of aroma and taste. Try sprinkling some over your meatball sub when assembling it.
Crushed Red Pepper
For those who like a little heat, crushed red pepper flakes are a nice addition. Use them sparingly sprinkled over meatballs for a hint of heat and smoky pepper flavor.
Grated Cheese
Grated hard Italian cheeses like Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago provide salty, savory pops of flavor. Grate fresh cheese over your meatball sub before serving for extra richness.
Balsamic Glaze
Thick, syrupy balsamic glaze or vinegar provides the perfect sweet and tangy contrast to a meatball sub. Drizzle or brush some over the bun when constructing your sandwich.
Pesto Sauce
Nutty, herbal pesto makes a great spread or dip for meatball subs. Try smearing some directly onto the bun or serving it on the side for dipping the sandwich.
Italian Dressing
Bright Italian dressing seasoned with garlic, onion, oregano makes a zesty sandwich spread. Lightly spread or brush Italian dressing onto bun halves before building the rest of your sub for big flavor.
Vegetable | Preparation | Flavor Notes |
---|---|---|
Onions | Thinly sliced raw red onion; caramelized onions | Pungent, slightly sweet |
Bell peppers | Thin strips or diced raw green bell pepper; roasted red peppers | Mildly sweet, crisp |
Mushrooms | Sliced raw button mushrooms; sauteed exotic mushroom blend | Rich, earthy, umami |
Jalapenos | Thinly sliced | Spicy heat |
Pickles | Dill pickle chips; relish | Tangy, acidic |
Banana peppers | Sliced pickled peppers | Mild heat, tangy |
Spinach | Fresh leaves; sauteed | Fresh, earthy |
Tomatoes | Thick fresh slices; halved cherry tomatoes | Juicy, bright |
Eggplant | Roasted slices | Rich, meaty |
Zucchini | Shaved raw ribbons; sauteed slices | Crisp, fresh |
Guidelines for Choosing Vegetables
When selecting vegetables for a meatball sub, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Go for vegetables that offer color contrast to make the sub look vibrant and appetizing.
- Aim for a variety of textures from tender to crunchy.
- Choose options that complement and balance the meaty, tomatoey flavors.
- Pick toppings that will hold up structurally when layered onto the sub.
- Opt for produce that is in season for the freshest flavor.
- Make sure vegetables are sliced thinly or chopped small enough to bite through easily.
- Sauteed vegetables offer more concentrated flavor than raw.
- Don’t overwhelm the meatballs and sauce – just add enough veg for balanced freshness.
Conclusion
Meatball subs already have fabulous flavor from the seasoned meat, melted cheese, and zesty marinara sauce. But adding fresh, crisp vegetables takes them to the next level. The options are endless, from sauteed mushrooms to pickled banana peppers to fresh spinach. Just stick with toppings that complement the existing ingredients rather than compete with them.
A few veggie-packed meatball subs to try:
- Sauteed onions, peppers, and mushrooms
- Spinach and artichoke hearts
- Jalapenos and giardiniera
- Sliced tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella
- Roasted eggplant, zucchini, and red peppers
Feel free to mix and match different vegetable medleys to customize your perfect meatball sub creation! When you add the right crunch, flavors, colors and textures with fresh vegetables, an already amazing sandwich becomes even more crave-worthy.