CHEESY ITALIAN MEATBALL BITES 4 Ingredient Appetizer

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Cheddar is often less expensive and still melts well.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground chicken is typically cheaper and lower in fat.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Crushed crackers can be a budget-friendly binder.

Roll out the crescent roll dough and pinch the seams together to seal.

Cut the dough into 12 equal squares.

Spray the inside of a standard muffin tin with cooking spray.

Press each square of dough into the muffin tin, ensuring it fits snugly.

Add 2 teaspoons of marinara sauce on top of the dough in each muffin tin.

Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce in each muffin tin.

Sprinkle a little Italian seasoning on top of the cheese in each muffin tin.

Place a frozen meatball on top of the cheese in each muffin tin.

Add 1 teaspoon of marinara sauce on top of each meatball.

Sprinkle more shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each meatball.

Sprinkle a little more Italian seasoning on top of the cheese.

Place the muffin tin on a regular sheet pan to catch any drips.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Let the bites cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before removing them.

Use a spoon to carefully lift the bites out of the muffin tin and place them on a plate.

Garnish with dried parsley before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens