Cheesy Pizza Meatballs

Cheesy Pizza Meatballs

#TheSauceBehindTheSlice #MadeWithDonPepino #DonPepinosRecipeChallenge

I’m one of 30 bloggers who have been chosen to compete in Don Pepino Pizzeria Bloggers Recipe Challenge.

The Three Categories are:

Signature Pizzas

Beyond the Slice

Appetizers & Shareables

The business has been making garden fresh vine-ripened and hand-picked pizza sauce since 1950. Their pizza sauce is authentic and simple.

You need to check out their website and get your package of pizza sauce, or do a search and find other sources for purchasing their sauce.

These Cheesy Pizza Meatballs are just as titled. Filled with cheese and topped with cheese, all tucked in a seasoned pizza sauce and toppings.

The  skewers make the meatballs so easy for adding more mini mozzarella balls and for serving.

Toppings like tangy pepperoncini slices, garlic salt and fresh basil leaves bring additional flavor.

You can find Don Pepino on their following social media:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/DonPepinoSauce/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/realdonpepino

Website: www.violetfoods.com

 

Cheesy Pizza Meatballs 

Makes approximately 20 meatballs 

Meatballs:

1 pound ground beef

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs 

1 egg

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper 

8 ounce pkg of mozzarella pearls (mini balls)

Wooden picks

 

Cheesy Pizza Sauce: 

1-14.5 oz can Don Pepino Pizza Sauce 

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese 

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 

 

Garnish:

2 teaspoon garlic salt 

2 tablespoons pepperoncini slices

2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, sliced

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan 

 

In a bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs and egg with the milk. Add in the ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic, parsley, kosher salt and black pepper. Gently blend to combine but not over work the mixture. 

Heat an oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop the meatball mixture (2 tablespoons) each and create a hole for 1 pearl mozzarella ball. Enclose the ball and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. 

During the baking time, heat the Don Pepino Pizza Sauce with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired. Transfer the cooked meatballs into the hot pizza sauce. 

Add a wooden pick to each meatball then add two pearl mozzarella balls to the stick. 

Return the meatball skewers in the sauce to the oven. Bake until the cheese melts over the meatballs, approximately 5-6 minutes. 

Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle each meatball with the garlic salt. Garnish the skillet with the sliced pepperoncini, fresh basil leaves and Parmesan cheese! Serve and enjoy!