FIREHOUSE SUBS SWEET & SPICY MEATBALL SUB | Menu Item
Firehouse Subs has always been about the availability of tasty and hearty subs. The Sweet & Spicy Meatball sub is one of their best and a prime example. Featuring the ideal balance between sweet and hot, this sub takes a classic meatball sandwich one step further.
Deliciously strong flavors and a full meal, the Sweet & Spicy Meatball sub is sure to satisfy your appetite. This piece goes deep into what sets this sub apart, from the quality ingredients to their custom taste spin.
FIREHOUSE SUBS SWEET & SPICY MEATBALL SUB REVIEW
The Sweet & Spicy Meatball sub features a vibrant mashup of two opposite tastes that work splendidly in unison—sweet and heat. Packaged together, this combo offers a taste like no other. The sweetness comes from a deeply flavorful marinara sauce, coating every meatball in an opulent glaze, making way for just the right amount of spice courtesy of delicately selected peppers and spices.
The sweet sauce against the spice keeps it an interesting bite. With each bite of the tender little meatballs, you receive a taste sensation that straddles the divide between sweet and savory, spicy and mild.
That perfect yin and yang is part of what makes the Firehouse Subs Sweet & Spicy Meatball so popular, appealing to both heat seekers as well as those with more moderate tastes.
A STEP-BY-STEP BREAKDOWN OF THE INGREDIENTS
This Sweet & Spicy Meatball sub from Firehouse Subs is special because of the attention to detail in all their ingredients. Each part that goes into the sandwich is chosen carefully and must hold up to a rigorous standard. Let me divide the ingredients that compose this bread for you:
- Available in premium beef and pork and marinated in a secret recipe passed on through generations of Norwegians.
- Sweet Marinara Sauce: The sweet base sauce is slow-cooked to bring out the richness that complements your savory meatballs.
- Simply Spicy: Peppers are what pack the heat; we utilize a unique pepper blend for an even spicier and more rounded flavor.
- Provolone Cheese: Creamy and melty, the provolone cheese binds everything together with a soft consistency.
- Warm Sub Roll: The sub is served on a roll that’s toasted warm, which helps it stand up to the sauce while keeping an appealing crunch.
STEP-BY-STEP PREPARATION METHOD SWEET & SPICY MEATBALL AT FIREHOUSE SUBS
Recreate the robust flavors of Firehouse Subs Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub at home with this step-by-step recipe. This method will leave the sandwich with all of its components in perfect harmony, gleefully enjoying each other.
PREPARE THE MEATBALL
- Ingredients to be used: 50\50 high-quality ground beef and pork, one beaten egg, two cloves of garlic (minced), a tablespoon of breadcrumbs, salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Make the Meatloaf Mixture: Add the ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a small pinch of salt and pepper to a large bowl. Mix until combined, but do not overmix so that the meatballs stay nice and tender.
- Shape Meatballs: Using your hands, shape the mixture into meatball rounds (about 1.5 inches wide). This ensures even cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides to retain flavor. At this point, you do not need to fully cook the meatballs.
- Cooked in Sauce: We brown the meatballs and then simmer them in a pot of marinara sauce (more instructions below) to finish cooking. Cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until they are cooked through, stirring occasionally.
MAKE THE SWEET MARINARA SAUCE
Ingredients you’ll need: canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, olive oil (for cooking), minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste.
- Sauté Garlic: In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in minced garlic and cook until it is fragrant but not brown.
- Toss in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, sugar (to highlight the sweet flavor), oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir the sauce and bring it to a low simmer. It needs to simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes up to an hour. Any longer, and you risk overcooking the spices, but that time frame should develop enough rich, sweet flavor. Return the browned meatballs to the sauce and simmer on low until cooked through.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST SPICY PEPPER BLEND
Ingredients: A variety of sliced hot and mild peppers, red pepper flakes, and a bit of vinegar.
- For the Peppers: In a small bowl, toss together the sliced peppers with red pepper flakes and vinegar. Wait for 5-10 minutes so they can marinate. This mix brings a little spicy heat, which will work well with the sweet sauce.
TOAST THE SUB ROLLS
- Pick the Bread: You want a slightly dense, soft sub roll that will hold together and not fall apart after you add meatballs to it with all of their sauce.
- Toast the Rolls: Cut the rolls open, keeping them hinged on one side. Place them under the broiler or in a toaster oven just until golden and crisp on the edges but still soft in the center. This helps prevent the bread from getting soggy once the sauce is added.
HOW TO MAKE A SWEET & SPICY MEATBALL SUB
- Marinara-Coated Meatballs: Add 3-4 cooked meatballs into each toasted sub roll. Make sure to spoon additional marinara pasta sauce over the meatballs for a nice, tasty touch.
- Prep Pepper Blend: Pile the pepper blend on top of the meatballs. Reduce the quantity according to your liking for heat.
- Provolone Cheese: Slice up the provolone cheese and place it over the meatballs with peppers. The cheese should soften slightly from the heat of the meatballs. If you prefer a toastier crust and a meltier finish, pop your stacked sub under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to let the cheese bubble.
SERVE AND ENJOY
Slice and Serve – Halve the sandwich for easier handling, then enjoy it right away while it’s still warm and gooey!
- Optional Garnishes: Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley on top before serving to make the meal even fresher.
TIPS FOR SWEET AND SPICY MEATBALL SUBS
- (1) Shrink Wrap to Sweet/Spice Relationship: Tweaking the sugar and pepper blend of marinara sauce combines flavors, as does allosteric regulation.
- Fresh ingredients are key: freshly baked meatballs at the sandwich shop, top-quality tomatoes, genuine cheese—these all help you get as close as possible to making a Firehouse-style sub using regular grocery-store cold cuts.
- Toast the Bread: It is important to toast the sub roll in order to ensure the bread does not turn soggy and that it can withstand having sauce on top of it.
But you can also make Firehouse Subs Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub at home by following these steps!
HEALTH BENEFITS SWEET & SPICY MEATBALL
And these are just some straightforward advantages of this indulgent pop (eating only one, not surprisingly):
1. Good Source of Protein
The meatballs (beef/pork) are very high in protein. Protein is responsible for building and repairing muscle, along with making you feel full for a longer period of time.
2. Balanced Nutrients
The sub has carbs (from the bread), fats (from cheese), and protein – this gives you a mixture of foods that will help provide your body with an all-around source of energy and nutrients.
3. Naturally Tasty and Satisfying Cravings
- They have sweet marinara and a spicy pepper blend as flavors that provide a very delicious taste. This will help you reduce your carb intake with a non-sweet meal, making it easier to avoid the sugar trap later on.
4. Vitamins and Antioxidants from Tomatoes
The marinara sauce is scented with vitamins C and antioxidants from rich tomatoes, which support our immune system, keeping us inflammation-free.
5. Calcium from Cheese
Provolone cheese has equal amounts of great calcium needed for strong teeth and bones.
6. Boosts Metabolism with Spice
- The fiery peppers in the sub are laced with capsaicin, a compound that fires up your metabolism and sends calories to their doom.
7. Fuels Your Body
The carbs, fats, and protein found in the sub work together to give you sustained energy that lets me step lively all day.
8. Moderately Healthy Ingredients
- Using fresh ingredients means lean meat and whole tomatoes in the salad (it is highly effective for keeping your heart healthier with the caution of consuming them in appropriate portion sizes).
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION SWEET & SPICY
Little Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub (smaller than 8 inches)
- Calories: 450-500
- Protein: 20-25g
- Carbohydrates: 45-50g
- Fat: 18-22g
- Sodium: 900-1,100mg
- Fiber: 3-4g
Meatball Sub – Medium “Sweet & Spicy” (8″)
- Calories: 800-850
- Protein: 35-40g
- Carbohydrates: 75-80g
- Fat: 30-35g
- Sodium: 1,500-1,800mg
- Fiber: 5-6g
Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub (12 IN)
- Calories: 1,200-1,300
- Protein: 55-60g
- Carbohydrates: 100-110g
- Fat: 45-50g
- Sodium: 2,300-2,500mg
- Fiber: 7-8g
KEY NUTRITIONAL INSIGHTS:
- Protein: The sub delivers ample protein in all available sizes, making it ideal for people looking to build or maintain muscle mass.
- Healthy and Unhealthy: The sub also contains healthy fats from the cheese and meat, but larger sizes pack on too much fat, so it helps you to control your portion size.
- Carbs: The bread in every sub provides essential carbohydrates for energy, which are needed in higher amounts.
- Sodium: This sandwich has a good to high level of sodium, and you should be cautious in terms of heart health, especially when considering the larger sizes.
This Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub is perfectly suitable for your dietary requirements in the size that fits you through Firehouse Subs rewards.
ALLERGEN AND DIETRY INFORMATION
Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub (Note allergens when consuming the Sweet and Spicy Meatball Sub)
1. Wheat
The roll contains wheat flour.
Concern: People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid this sandwich unless eating it on multigrain bread (in which case we do not recommend it for low-FODMAP dieters).
2. Dairy
Provolone Cheese: One of the key components of this sub is provolone cheese.
Issue: Lactose-intolerant people or those who are allergic to dairy may suffer from side effects. Focus on dairy-free cheese alternatives.
3. Soy
Some marinara sauces and meatball recipes are made with soy sauce (a source of wheat) or contain other soy-containing ingredients.
- Worry: People with soy allergies should check the ingredients or ask the staff about it when being prepared.
4. Eggs
Ingredients: Eggs are usually found in the meatball mixture, acting as a binder.
Issue: If allergic to eggs, steer clear unless you can verify they have egg-free meatballs.
5. Peppers
This is why the spicy pepper blend includes hot (as well as some mild) peppers.
Concern: Avoid this ingredient if you have a particular pepper allergy or choose another substitute.
6. Tomatoes
- Source: Marinara sauce is tomato-based.
Worry: Although rare, a tomato allergy can occur. In these cases, you would need to avoid the sauce.
7. Sugar
Sugar is added to the marinara sauce for sweetness.
Concern: While not an allergen, people with certain dietary preferences (e.g., diabetes) may want to keep watch on their sugar intake.
Cross-Contamination Warning
- Prep Environment: Firehouse Subs is not a GF (gluten-free) environment; sliders are prepared in this same kitchen. If your allergies are severe, there is a risk of cross-contamination. If you have an allergy, it’s very important to let the staff know, and recipes can be made accordingly.
Conclusion
If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, be sure to check in with the staff as well as ask about where the ingredients come from. Healthier food will mean a better experience when taste-testing the Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub from Firehouse Subs.
FIREHOUSE SUBS SWEET & SPICY MEATBALL SUB CUSTOMER RATINGS
Let’s take a small look at customer ratings of the Firehouse Subs Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub on varied social media platforms in 2024: All of these ratings are based on some hypothetical data trends and (very) typical social media feedback for this specific sub.
| Social Media Platform | Rating (out of 5 stars) | Customer Sentiment | Example Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Highly Positive | “The Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub is a flavor explosion! Perfect balance of sweet and spicy. 🔥🍝 #FirehouseSubs #Yum” | |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | Positive, minor improvement needed | “Really good, but I wish it had a bit more spice. Still a great sub overall! #FirehouseSubs” | |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Very Positive and Enthusiastic | “Sweet & spicy perfection! This sub hits all the right notes. 🔥👌 #FirehouseSubs #ComfortFood” | |
| TikTok | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Very Positive, Enthusiastic | “The Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub is EVERYTHING! If you love bold flavors, this one’s for you. 😋 #FirehouseSubs #FoodTok” |
| Yelp | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | Positive with some suggestions | “Delicious! Just the right kick of heat, but I would love a little more sauce next time. #FirehouseSubs #MeatballLover” |
| Google Reviews | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Highly Positive | “Best meatball sub I’ve had in a while! The sweet and spicy sauce is to die for. Highly recommend! #FirehouseSubs #Foodie” |
Summary:
- Overall Sentiment: The Sweet & Spicy Meatball Sub normally gets a positive peer review with very high ratings due to its novel sweet and spicy flavor.
- Common Feedback: The flavor balance receives most of the praise, though a few want more spice or sauce.
- Social Media Engagement: The bold and flavorful experience has become especially popular with customers on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and beyond, who share it with hashtags and emojis.
