Best Vegan Meatball Subs

Indulge in the magic of this Vegan Meatball Subs recipe--- A delightful twist on the classic New York Marinara Sub. Bursting with savory, spicy, and sweet notes, these veggie-packed 'meatball subs' boast tender and flavorful bites. Nestled in a brioche hot dog bun and loaded with vegan meatballs, dairy-free cheese shreds, and succulent umami roasted herb tomatoes. They're a mouthwatering treat for any mealtime. Gluten-Free option.

I'm thrilled to share this Vegan Meatball Subs recipe with you all! It's a nod to a beloved NYC favorite, which makes it even more special. I've used these vegan meatballs in various dishes like Vegetarian BBQ Meatball Pizza, Vegan BBQ Meatballs with Creamy Polenta, and even Spicy Curry Vegan Meatballs + Orzo. So, putting them on a sub just felt like the right move!

I opted for chickpeas + quinoa to make these savory vegan 'meatballs'. It might sound unconventional, as many prefer ingredients like zucchini or mushrooms for better binding, but chickpeas and quinoa did the job perfectly. It's crucial to get the ingredient proportions right to avoid mushy or fragile meatballs.

While my family and I don't strictly stick to a vegan diet daily, we make an effort to incorporate it into our weekly meals whenever we can. For me, the key is to whip up tasty dishes, and trust me, this vegan meatball sub recipe is hearty, filling, and downright delicious—I promise even meat eaters will love it!

Jump to:

• Why You Will LOVE Vegan Meatball Subs
• Vegan Meatball Sub Ingredients
• How To Make A Vegan Meatball Sub
• How to Make Herb Roasted Tomatoes
• What to Serve with a Meatball Sub
• Delicous Sub Add Ons
• Vegan Meatball Subs Q + A's
• Other Vegan Recipes You’ll Love
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
• Best Vegan Meatball Subs

If you're transitioning to a vegan or plant-based diet and need some guidance, don't worry—I've got you covered! Check out a few tips on How to Best Transition into a Plant-Based or Vegan Diet. Plus, I have tons of vegan and vegetarian recipes perfect for Meatless Monday or any day of the week.

Why You Will LOVE Vegan Meatball Subs

• Bold flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Versatile and customizable
• A crowd-pleasing combination that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
• It’s absolutely delicious---- Loaded with bold + rich flavors.
• Great to make ahead of time. This is the perfect weeknight meal prep meal recipe because it can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
• Family-friendly (Well, everyone in my family seems to love it, Haha.)
• It’s meatless--but still works for any eater.

Vegan Meatball Sub Ingredients

First things first, let's get all the ingredients ready since there are a few components involved: the vegan meatballs, the simple marinara sauce, and the herb-roasted tomatoes. Here's everything you'll need for these mouthwatering meatball subs:

VEGAN MEATBALLS:

• Chickpeas. Drained + rinsed
• Cooked quinoa. (Cook according to packaging!)
• Chopped pecans. You can use another soft nut like walnuts or cashews if you prefer. However, I find that pecans add a wonderfully buttery flavor to the dairy-free meatballs. 
• Vegan bread crumbs. Either store-bought or homemade works fine. See my recipe for Seasoned Toasted Panko Bread Crumbs
• Nutritional yeast. This is a key vegan ingredient for cheesy flavor. If you haven’t tried it yet, I strongly recommend it
• Parsley, oregano + basil. These three Italian herbs make a great trio. But if you’re missing one, you can easily substitute it with more of the other two spices. 
• Onion + garlic cloves. Roughly chopped.
• Smoked paprika. Adds a hint of smokiness.
• Red pepper flakes. For a little spice.
• Sea salt + black pepper. Helps to balance all the flavors.
• Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.

HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE:

• Organic tomato sauce. This is the best when making your own marinara base.
• Organic vegetable stock. This adds another level of umami flavor.
• Herbs + spices. Dried oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder + dried parsley
• Pinch of red pepper flakes + cayenne pepper
• Sea salt + black pepper.

TOPPINGS + OTHERS:

• Herb Roasted Tomatoes. See below on how to make your own.
• Vegan Mozzarella shreds. My favorite brands that seem to melt are the mozzarella by Follow Your Heart or Daiya (they have a new oat milk base that melts really well)
• Fresh parsley or cilantro. Optional
• Brioche hot dog buns. Feel free to use your favorite hot dog buns.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE VEGAN SUBS!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Vegan Meatball Sub recipe . Everything from my fave loaf pan, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How To Make A Vegan Meatball Sub

Start making this meatball sub recipe by roasting your tomatoes. This recipe for herb-roasted tomatoes produces the best-tasting, most concentrated roasted tomatoes. They have a thick, jammy texture that creates a sauce all on their own in addition to the delicious tomato filling/sauce. Next, make and cook the vegan meatballs. And you can make the simple tomato/marinara sauce on the stove.

How to Make Herb Roasted Tomatoes

Another component to this recipe is to start with great-quality tomatoes. Choose a mix of large and cherries, and several different colors if you can find them.

• Tomatoes. You can add as many tomatoes as will fit on your baking sheet.
• Olive oil. Don’t skimp on the oil! It helps concentrate the tomato flavor and makes a nice jammy texture. You can use these roasted tomatoes like a dressing or sauce. 
• Dried herbs. I like a mixture of Italian herbs like oregano, basil and parsley. But you can mix up the seasonings with other fresh or dried herbs. Thyme, rosemary, marjoram and tarragon are all delicious with tomatoes.
• Spices. Likewise, feel free to play with different spices in your roasted tomatoes. I like paprika, garlic powder and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick.

What to Serve with a Meatball Sub

Serving these vegan meatball subs is super easy. You can add any of the following sides to create a complete meal for the entire family:

• Salad --- To add a element of freshness serve alongside a salad like Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad or The Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
• Fries or potato wedges--- A total no-brainer side. My faves are, Crispy Cajun Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer Jamaican Jerk Potato Wedges and the classic Seasoned Crinkle Cut Fries
• Coleslaw--- Creamy coleslaw provides a cool and refreshing contrast to the warm, savory meatball sub.
• Soup--- A bowl of soup, such as Creamy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup or Creamy Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Chickpea Soup, makes for a comforting and satisfying accompaniment.

Delicous Sub Add Ons

While this sub is already incredibly delicious as it is, if you're feeling adventurous and want to add some extra toppings, here are a few ideas that I absolutely adore:

• Jalapeños, for a spicy kick
• Pickles
• Avocado
• Homemade pesto
• Salsa
• Caramelized onions

Vegan Meatball Subs Q + A's

Other Vegan Recipes You’ll Love

If you are a fan of my Vegan Meatball Subs then you will love these recipes, too!

• Vegan Curry Chickpea Mashed Potato Bowl
• Vegan Quinoa Fried Rice
• Baked Sticky Orange Cauliflower + Quinoa
• Vegan Bolognese Pasta
• Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese Easy
• Vegan Roasted Potato Salad
• Vegan Jamaican Jerk Walnut Tacos
• Simple Walnut Pesto Bucatini Pasta

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried the Best Vegan Meatball Subs recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Best Vegan Meatball Subs

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