What is the ideal side dish for meatball subs? The dish itself is a fantastic combination of savory and salty with that undeniable taste of tomato sauce. You can spice them up with peppers, add cheese, or go extremely plain. No matter what, they don’t really feel like a whole meal. You need to add something on the side to bring the entire meal together.
There are so many different options that you can choose from, so we picked out some of our favorites and we explain why they work.
What To Serve With Meatball Subs
The best side dishes for meatball subs add a contrasting flavor that you will enjoy with the sub. Maybe you eat the entire sub and then you dive into the side dish. Maybe you eat the side dish first. Maybe you take a few bites of each and then switch off. No matter what you do, there are countless opportunities.
Creamy Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a good pairing for any meal that combines meat and sauce because it cuts the fat. You can add whatever kind of coleslaw you want as a good side dish for meatball subs.
Make a traditional cabbage slaw that doesn’t have a dressing or make a creamier coleslaw that will add some liquid.
You can even make a fennel coleslaw that will really add a contrasting flavor. If you are looking for a healthier alternative, you may even want to consider pepper cabbage or a low-fat mayo creamy coleslaw.
Just remember to keep your coleslaw away from the roll of your meatball sandwich!
Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is another great dish that is versatile and you can get the flavors that you want. There isn’t a “perfect” pasta salad for your meatball sub. Instead, think of it as an equation. You will take your favorite pasta, veggies that you like, a protein if you want one, something with some fat, spices, and a salad dressing of your choice.
You can get pretty much whatever you want out of your pasta salad this way. You can cut up cucumbers and onions, mix them with sour cream, and have a cucumber salad. Add cheese and Italian dressing for a traditional pasta salad, or create something that is completely unique to your liking.
Chips
There is nothing better than a good chip. If you want to add some crunch to your meal, add chips of your choice. You can always open up a bag of your favorite chips and call it a day. Pick the flavor or type of chip that you want. You can go for an old fashioned salted potato chip or get a tortilla chip. You can also make your own chips by thin slicing potatoes and adding spices.
If you want something that is healthier, you can make carrot chips or radish chips. You don’t even have to cook them! You will just get a crunchy feeling that will contrast well with the sandwich.
If you want even more flavors, add in your own dressing or dip so that you can have a bite of carrot with some ranch dressing and then another bite plain.
Pickles
Another great option is to have pickles as a side. This will keep your calories low and some people will even put them onto their meatball subs to really add some salty flavor. You can make your own pickle or just get some of your favorite spears or slices.
Celery
If you want something really healthy, celery is a great option for a side dish. You can use celery as a way to cleanse your palate and just give your mouth a break for a while. It adds some water into your meal, and meatball subs can be extremely dehydrating, so you are helping yourself to feel better later.
Some Sort Of Potato Side
Another option is to add a potato dish. You can make your own french fries, tater tots, or just some thick-cut potato wedges. Potato wedges are the perfect side dish for meatball subs because they are hearty and add quite a good texture. You can also add some toppings.
It is so easy to make your own thick-cut potato wedges. All you need to do is slice the potatoes in your desired thickness, coat them with olive oil and the spices of your choice (I like garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper), and then bake them for about 18 minutes at 390.
Flip them and bake for another 18, and you are good to go. You can even throw them into an air fryer if you want something easier and crunchier. Shoestring fries are another great alternative to your wedges.
Salad
There is literally no meal that you can’t pair with a salad. It is a healthier side for a meatball sub and it will add some fiber to help you digest that heavy meal. You can add whatever you want and the crunch will make your meal feel more satisfying.
You can customize your salad to fill your needs. Do you want to add healthy fats? Add some nuts. Do you want something that will cut the fat? Use a vinegarette.
You might not want to add more fat from meats. Instead, focus on adding some fiber by adding pears or apples to your salad or maybe some cucumbers. You can also add some crunch with croutons or fresh onions.
Meatball Sandwich Sides: After The Meal
Many people don’t want to put down their sandwich one they pick it up. It is just too hard to keep everything together. This means many people will put off their side dishes until the end of the meal, meaning they eat dessert. Some of the best side dishes will sweeten your hearty meal.
Sometimes people don’t really need to eat something alongside their, but they certainly need something at the end.
Fruits
Fruit is a great addition and side to any meal that is hearty and heavy. This will help you to have something simple and sweet without overloading on your calories. Some of the best fruits will be those that have a lot of fiber, including watermelon, pears, apples, and mangoes.
Since a meatball sandwich is pretty much one flavor the entire way through, making a fruit salad is a great option to get some variety. This will help to keep you full longer. You may want to make a nice little fruit dip to add in yet another flavor.
Chocolate
If you want just a little something after your meatball sub, a piece of chocolate is a great option. Go for a piece of darker chocolate to add a smokey quality to your meal. This is a great way to control your calories but feel like you are treating yourself.
A meatball sub is a great meal by itself, but there are some things that you can do to make it even better. That includes adding a great side dish to the menu and complementing the flavors of the sub itself.
