Cheesy Italian Pizza Meatballs
Indulge in these delightful Cheesy Italian Pizza Meatballs, a perfect fusion of hearty flavors and gooey mozzarella goodness! This simple and satisfying recipe from 'Taste of Home' is sure to please both kids and adults alike. Each meatball is generously stuffed with a 1/2 inch cube of melted mozzarella, creating a delicious surprise in every bite. Prepare them ahead of time and let the savory aroma fill your home as they simmer in pizza sauce in the crockpot. Serve these as an appetizer or a main dish with crusty bread or pasta for a complete meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
2 lbs (Fresh, uncooked)
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 cups (For binding)
Milk
1 cup (Whole or 2% milk)
Dried onion flakes
1/4 cup (For flavoring)
Garlic salt
2 teaspoons (For seasoning)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Mozzarella cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (Cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
Flour
1/3 cup (For coating)
Cooking oil
1/4 cup (For frying)
Pizza sauce
2 (28 ounce) jars (For simmering)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, milk, dried onion flakes, garlic salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined; do not overmix.
2
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add cooking oil.
3
Using your hands, shape the meat mixture into 48 small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
4
Cut the mozzarella cheese into 48 half-inch cubes.
5
Carefully push one cheese cube into the center of each meatball, ensuring that the cheese is completely enclosed.
6
Lightly roll each meatball in flour to coat the outside.
7
In the preheated skillet, add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides. Remove and drain excess oil on paper towels.
8
Once all meatballs are browned, place them into a crockpot and pour the pizza sauce over them.
9
Cover, set the crockpot to low, and let it cook for 4 to 6 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cheesy Italian Pizza Meatballs?
Cheesy Italian Pizza Meatballs are a flavorful fusion dish featuring ground beef meatballs stuffed with mozzarella cheese and simmered in pizza sauce.
How many meatballs does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 48 small meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 pounds of fresh, uncooked ground beef.
What is the secret ingredient inside each meatball?
Each meatball is stuffed with a 1/2 inch cube of mozzarella cheese for a gooey, melted center.
How long do the meatballs cook in the crockpot?
The meatballs should cook in the crockpot on low for 4 to 6 hours.
What setting should I use on my slow cooker?
You should set your crockpot to the low heat setting for best results.
How large should the mozzarella cubes be?
The mozzarella cheese should be cut into 1/2 inch cubes before being placed inside the meatballs.
What is the recommended size for each meatball?
Each meatball should be shaped into a small ball approximately 1 inch in diameter.
Why are the meatballs rolled in flour?
Rolling the meatballs in 1/3 cup of flour provides a light coating that helps with browning and thickening the sauce.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before slow cooking?
Yes, you should brown the meatballs in a skillet with oil on all sides before placing them in the crockpot.
What seasonings are added to the ground beef?
The meat is seasoned with Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, dried onion flakes, garlic salt, and pepper.
Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of Italian seasoned?
While the recipe calls for Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for flavor, you can use regular breadcrumbs if you add extra Italian herbs.
What is the purpose of adding milk to the meat mixture?
Milk is added to the ground beef and breadcrumb mixture to provide moisture and ensure a tender texture.
How much pizza sauce is required for this recipe?
You will need two 28-ounce jars of pizza sauce to simmer the meatballs.
Should I drain the meatballs after browning them?
Yes, it is recommended to remove the meatballs from the skillet and drain excess oil on paper towels before slow cooking.
Can these meatballs be served as an appetizer?
Yes, they make an excellent appetizer for parties or gatherings.
What are some suggested sides for serving these as a main dish?
They pair perfectly with crusty bread or served over your favorite pasta for a complete meal.
Is it okay to overmix the meat mixture?
No, you should mix the ingredients gently until just combined to avoid making the meatballs too dense or tough.
What temperature should the skillet be for browning?
The skillet should be preheated over medium heat before adding the cooking oil and meatballs.
How much mozzarella cheese do I need to buy?
You will need one 8-ounce package of mozzarella cheese to yield enough cubes for 48 meatballs.
Can I prepare these meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape and brown the meatballs ahead of time and store them until you are ready to simmer them in the crockpot.
Are these meatballs considered kid-friendly?
Absolutely, the familiar pizza flavors and melted cheese center make them a favorite for children.
How do I ensure the cheese doesn't leak out?
Ensure the cheese cube is completely enclosed by the meat mixture and the meatball is sealed well when shaping.
How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?
The meatballs are done when they are cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
How much oil is used for frying?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of cooking oil for browning the meatballs in the skillet.
What type of onion is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of dried onion flakes for convenient flavoring.
Is this a one-dish meal?
It is tagged as a one-dish meal because the main cooking happens entirely within the crockpot once the meatballs are browned.
Should I brown all the meatballs at once?
It is best to brown the meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
How much garlic salt is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of garlic salt for seasoning the meat.
What is the best way to coat the meatballs in flour?
Lightly roll each meatball in 1/3 cup of flour until the outside is evenly coated before frying.