Italian Meatball Subs with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy homemade meatballs served on crusty rolls with a tangy sun-dried tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 43 minutes, pairs ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 18 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup fresh parsley, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until combined.
  2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes until cooked through.
  3. Step 3: While meatballs cook, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1 cup tomato sauce, simmering for 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Slice the sub rolls in half and fill with meatballs and sauce. Top with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian Meatball Subs with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 43 minutes (25 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Italian Meatball Subs with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Meatball Subs with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Italian Meatball Subs with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Italian Meatball Subs with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce?

Italian sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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