Minnesota-Style Meatball Sub
Tender beef and pork meatballs smothered in a rich tomato sauce, served on a crusty roll with melted mozzarella. This american-inspired beef ready in about 50 minutes pairs pound ground beef, pound ground pork, breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 750 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.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/4 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 ounce) diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 4 sub rolls
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1/2 pound ground beef, 1/4 pound ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, mixing gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into 12 meatballs, place in a baking dish, and top each with 1/4 cup marinara sauce. Bake for 20 minutes at 375°F until golden.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then add 1 can (14 ounce) diced tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, simmering for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Slice sub rolls in half, spread the tomato sauce mixture on the bottom halves, top with meatballs and 1/4 cup grated mozzarella, then place the top halves on the rolls and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Minnesota-Style Meatball Sub take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Minnesota-Style Meatball Sub?
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 pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Minnesota-Style Meatball Sub?
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 Minnesota-Style Meatball Sub 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 Minnesota-Style Meatball Sub?
American beef 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
