Description
Homemade cheesy meatball bites deliver pure comfort on small plates. Mediterranean flavors blend perfectly with melted cheese, creating an irresistible appetizer you cannot stop eating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 pre-made frozen meatballs
- 1 cup (226 grams / 8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 (8-ounce/226 grams) can Pillsbury Crescent rolls
- ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fl oz) marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a standard muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Dough Crafting: Unroll crescent dough and divide into 12 uniform squares, pressing each carefully into muffin cavities to create small vessels with slightly climbing sides.
- Foundation Layer: Spread a thin marinara sauce base in each dough cup, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese to establish a flavorful foundation.
- Meatball Placement: Position one meatball centrally in each dough cup, covering with additional marinara sauce and generously topping with more mozzarella cheese.
- Baking Process: Slide muffin tin into preheated oven and bake for 15-17 minutes until the crust turns golden-brown and cheese becomes deliciously bubbly.
- Serving Technique: Allow meatball bites to rest momentarily after removing from oven, then gently extract from tin. Plate immediately and offer extra marinara sauce for optional dipping.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Strategy: Prepare meatball bites in advance and refrigerate before baking, ideal for meal planning and quick entertaining.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Use freshly shredded mozzarella for superior melting and richer flavor compared to pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Dough Handling Hack: If crescent dough feels sticky, lightly dust hands with flour to prevent tearing and ensure smooth placement in muffin cups.
- Portion Control Trick: Use mini meatballs or cut standard meatballs in half for perfectly sized, bite-sized results that fit neatly in each dough cup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 116
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg