My husband has always loved a hearty meatball sub, so I wanted to create a lighter version that still felt warm, filling, and satisfying. This low calorie meatball sandwich recipe keeps the classic comfort food flavor but uses a few smart ingredient swaps to make it easier to enjoy as part of a balanced meal.
Instead of traditional beef meatballs and heavy sandwich rolls, this recipe uses extra lean ground turkey, whole wheat Panko bread crumbs, light hot dog buns, and reduced fat provolone cheese. The result is a flavorful turkey meatball sub with a rich tomato topping, melted cheese, and plenty of Italian-inspired seasoning.
Each meatball sandwich has 271 calories and 5 Points, making it a great option for anyone who wants a lighter lunch or dinner without giving up the foods they truly enjoy. It is filling enough for a hungry appetite, simple enough for a weeknight meal, and easy to serve for the whole family.
Low Calorie Meatball Sandwich Recipe
This low calorie meatball sandwich is a lighter take on the classic meatball sub. Tender turkey meatballs are baked instead of fried, then layered into light buns with warm diced tomatoes and reduced fat provolone cheese. The recipe is seasoned with garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, Parmesan, salt, and pepper, so every bite has the familiar flavor of an Italian-style meatball sandwich.
The key to making this recipe satisfying is keeping the portions generous while choosing lighter ingredients. Each sandwich is made with four small turkey meatballs, tomato sauce, and a slice of light provolone. Baking the meatballs helps them brown evenly without adding extra oil, and the warm tomato topping keeps the sandwich moist and flavorful.
This is a practical recipe for lunch, dinner, or meal planning when you want something comforting but not overly heavy. It is also a helpful option for anyone following a low calorie eating plan or looking for a lighter meatball sub recipe that still tastes like real comfort food.
271 kcal
24.5 g
9.9 g
23.7 g
20 mins
20 mins
40 mins
Ingredients
8
- 1 lb (½ kg) extra lean ground turkey
- ½ cup whole wheat Panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- ½ tbsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp granulated onion powder
- ½ tbsp sea salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 24 oz (⅔ kg) canned diced tomatoes
- 8 light hot dog buns
- 8 slices light Sargento Reduced Fat Provolone Cheese
- Optional: garnish with fresh shredded basil
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the oven racks in the top third of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil coated with non-fat cooking spray.
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In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, oregano, parsley, basil, garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Scoop the mixture and gently shape it into small meatballs, about the size of a tablespoon. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheets and repeat until you have 32 meatballs. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the pans every 5 minutes to help the meatballs brown evenly.
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While the meatballs bake, warm the canned diced tomatoes in a small saucepan. For extra flavor, add more garlic, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, or pepper if desired.
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When the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the baking sheets. Place the rolls on the same baking sheets and fill each bun with 4 meatballs. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of warm tomato sauce over the meatballs in each sandwich, then top each one with 1 slice of light provolone cheese. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are heated through.
Recipe Notes
For the best texture, mix the turkey meatball ingredients gently. Overmixing can make the meatballs dense, while a light hand helps them stay tender. Keeping the meatballs small also makes the sandwich easier to eat and helps each serving stay consistent.
The diced tomatoes act as a simple sauce for this low calorie meatball sub. If you enjoy a stronger herb flavor, the recipe allows you to add extra garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, or pepper to the tomatoes without changing the listed Points value. The light provolone melts over the warm meatballs and helps give the sandwich the classic meatball sub feel without making it too heavy.
This recipe makes eight sandwiches, so it is useful when cooking for a family or when you want planned portions. Each serving includes one bun, four turkey meatballs, tomato sauce, and one slice of reduced fat provolone cheese.
Equipment
Nutrition
Calories: 271 kcal
Carbohydrates: 24.5 g
Protein: 23.7 g
Fat: 9.9 g
Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
Cholesterol: 76 mg
Sodium: 811 mg
Potassium: 261 mg
Fiber: 6.6 g
Sugar: 5.4 g
Calcium: 260 mg
Iron: 4.1 mg
Lunch Recipes
Italian Recipes
Low Calorie Recipes, Low Fat Recipes
meatball sandwich
Turkey Recipes
Sandwich Recipes