Description
Delicious Meatball Sub Bites featuring mozzarella-stuffed beef meatballs wrapped in pizza dough, baked to golden perfection and served with a homemade marinara sauce. Perfect as a party appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Sub Bites
- Cooking spray
- 2 large eggs, divided
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 1/4 oz. shredded Provolone (about 1/3 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 2 Tbsp. Italian bread crumbs
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
- 2 oz. shredded Parmesan (about 3/4 cup), divided
- 24 perlini or noccioline mozzarella balls
- 12 oz. store-bought or homemade pizza dough
Marinara Sauce
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 sprigs fresh basil
- 2 sprigs fresh oregano
- 2 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan
- 2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a wire rack inside the baking sheet and spray the rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the meatball mixture: In a medium bowl, beat 1 egg to blend. Add the ground beef, finely chopped onion, shredded Provolone, garlic, chopped parsley, Italian bread crumbs, fresh basil, oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Gently stir until all ingredients are combined thoroughly.
- Form mozzarella-stuffed meatballs: Use a 1 1/2-tablespoon cookie scoop or measuring spoon to portion out 1-ounce balls of the beef mixture. Flatten each ball slightly, place one mozzarella ball in the center, and carefully enclose the beef mixture around the mozzarella. Arrange each stuffed meatball on the prepared wire rack in the baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs: Bake the meatballs at 400°F for 10 minutes. Once baked, transfer them to a plate to cool slightly. Remove the wire rack from the baking sheet, replace the parchment paper, and increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare dough wrappers: Divide the pizza dough into 24 equal portions, approximately 1/2 ounce each. Flatten each dough portion with the palm of your hand, then place a cooled meatball in the center. Wrap the dough fully around the meatball and place each wrapped bite onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Apply egg wash and top with Parmesan: Beat the remaining egg in a small bowl. Brush the tops of each dough-wrapped meatball with the egg wash, then sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the sub bites: Bake in the preheated 425°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until the dough is a beautiful golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
- Make the marinara sauce: While the sub bites bake, heat extra-virgin olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, fresh basil sprigs, oregano sprigs, shredded Parmesan, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve: Arrange the baked meatball sub bites on a platter and serve alongside the warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, allow the meatballs to cool before wrapping in dough to prevent dough from becoming soggy.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with 1 teaspoon each of dried basil and oregano if fresh is unavailable.
- Use a wire rack during initial baking to allow fat to drain for a less greasy meatball.
- If you prefer, homemade pizza dough can be used instead of store-bought.
- The marinara sauce can be prepared ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
- These bites are ideal for parties and can be made ahead and frozen; bake from frozen, adding extra baking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Meatball Sub Bite
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
