Skip to main content
CostcoRecipes
raos marinaraeasy

Costco Meatball Marinara Subs

Costco's frozen Italian meatballs simmered in Rao's marinara and piled onto hoagie rolls with melted provolone — the easiest meatball sub you'll ever make, done in 20 minutes.

Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Servings
4
Cost / Serving
$8.24

Quick Answer

Simmer Kirkland frozen meatballs in Rao's marinara for 12–15 minutes, pile onto split hoagie rolls with provolone or mozzarella, and broil briefly until the cheese is bubbling. Two ingredients, 20 minutes, four oversized subs.

A great meatball sub requires two things: good meatballs and great sauce. Costco's frozen cooked Italian meatballs are surprisingly good — beef and pork, nicely seasoned, and they simmer beautifully in Rao's marinara without any additional work. Toast the roll, pile them on, add provolone, and broil for two minutes. That's the whole recipe.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine frozen meatballs and Rao's marinara in a medium saucepan. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are heated through and sauce is bubbling.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, mix butter and garlic powder. Spread over the cut sides of the hoagie rolls.

  3. 3

    Toast rolls under the broiler for 2 minutes until golden. Watch closely — they burn fast.

  4. 4

    Spoon 3–4 meatballs with sauce onto each roll. Lay provolone slices over the top.

  5. 5

    Return to broiler for 1–2 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

  6. 6

    Finish with fresh basil and Parmesan. Serve immediately — open-face or pressed closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to thaw Costco meatballs before cooking?+
No. Drop them frozen straight into the sauce and simmer covered for 12–15 minutes. They thaw and heat through in the sauce, which also keeps them moist. Thawing first actually isn't necessary and doesn't improve the result.
What's the best bread for meatball subs?+
A soft hoagie roll that can absorb sauce without immediately falling apart is ideal. Italian bread, ciabatta, or a French baguette also work well. Avoid bread that's too crusty — it fights the filling.
How many meatballs per sub?+
Three to four meatballs per sub is the sweet spot — enough to fill the roll without the sauce overflowing. Costco's meatballs are large (about 1 oz each), so three is a solid serving.
Can I make these in a slow cooker?+
Yes. Add frozen meatballs and marinara to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Keep them in the slow cooker on warm for serving at parties — they'll stay perfect for hours.

You Might Also Like

rotisserie chickeneasy

Costco Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas

Costco rotisserie chicken enchiladas are the weeknight dinner that feels like a treat but takes less than an hour. The chicken is already cooked and seasoned, so all you're doing is shredding, rolling, saucing, and baking. Use a good store-bought enchilada sauce and a generous handful of Costco shredded Mexican blend cheese, and dinner is done.

45 min·6 servings
$2.33/serving
rotisserie chickeneasy

Costco Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade chicken noodle soup in under 40 minutes sounds too good to be true, but starting with a Costco rotisserie chicken makes it completely real. You skip the hours of simmering raw chicken by using already-cooked, already-seasoned meat and adding the carcass to the broth for extra depth. The result tastes like something that's been on the stove all day.

40 min·8 servings
$1.87/serving
rotisserie chickeneasy

Costco Rotisserie Chicken Street Tacos

Street tacos are the fastest, most satisfying thing you can make with a Costco rotisserie chicken. The chicken is already seasoned, the prep is minimal, and the whole meal comes together in 15 minutes. Use small corn tortillas, stack them two deep, and don't skip the lime — it makes everything brighter.

15 min·4 servings
$3.00/serving