Meatball Monster Sandwiches

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 12/19/22
Meatball Monster Sandwiches Recipe

 The Spruce

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 9 mins
Total: 24 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Yield: 12 mini sandwiches

Looking for a scary fun Halloween dinner? Look no further than these creepy "monster" sandwiches. The meatballs are simmered in spaghetti sauce and topped with olives that look just like little eyeballs peeking out from toasted rolls. Kids love this recipe and it's a breeze to make on a weeknight, calling for just five ingredients!

Using frozen precooked meatballs will help save on prep time, but you can certainly make your own from scratch. The meatball recipe should be simple, though you could add some sautéed veggies to the pasta sauce as a way to sneak in a little more nutrition into a fun recipe the kids will gobble right up.

This is a great recipe to make for a Halloween party. Serve with some French fries or waffle fries, a simple fruit salad, and lots of cold milk. For dessert? Halloween candy, of course!

Ingredients

  • 24 frozen precooked meatballs

  • 2 cups spaghetti or pasta sauce

  • 12 mini whole wheat sandwich buns

  • 3 tablespoons softened butter

  • 24 pimento-stuffed olive slices

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Meatball Monster Sandwiches Recipe
     The Spruce

  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the frozen meatballs with the spaghetti sauce. Bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring frequently. Cook until the meatballs are thawed and well heated, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir the mixture frequently so it doesn't burn.

    Meatball Monster Sandwiches Recipe
     The Spruce

  3. You may want to add a tablespoon or two of water toward the end of the cooking time if the pasta sauce starts sticking to the pan. When the meatballs are hot, remove the pan from the heat, cover, and set aside.

    Meatball Monster Sandwiches Recipe
     The Spruce

  4. Cut the sandwich buns in half and spread softened butter on each side. Toast in a oven or under the broiler until the buns are light golden brown.

    Meatball Monster Sandwiches Recipe
     The Spruce

  5. To assemble, place two meatballs, along with some of the sauce, on the bottom of each toasted bun. Top each meatball with a slice of olive, then put the tops of the buns on the meatballs at an angle. You can use a toothpick to hold the whole thing together if you'd like.

    Meatball Monster Sandwiches Recipe
     The Spruce

  6. Serve immediately and remind the kids to remove the toothpicks before they dig in!

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
556 Calories
31g Fat
48g Carbs
22g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 556
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 39%
Saturated Fat 11g 56%
Cholesterol 78mg 26%
Sodium 1378mg 60%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 18%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 22g
Vitamin C 2mg 11%
Calcium 225mg 17%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 597mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)