Save
Meatball Sub Bites: The Ultimate Party Munchies That Never Get Old
Turn the classic Italian sandwich into tiny, craveable cups with these fun meatball bites. Each pizza dough pocket is stuffed with juicy meatballs, gooey mozzarella, and loads of marinara. One bite and you'll see why everyone loves those cheesy, stretchy pulls for photos.
Save
The first time I put these out for my sister’s game night, they vanished in no time. I had to whip up another round! The kids always want to help smoosh the dough into the muffin tins. The house ends up smelling just like a cozy Italian bakery.
Key Ingredients You'll Need:
- Fresh basil: Totally up to you, but it pops with color and makes them feel a bit fancier
- Fresh mozzarella: Don’t skimp, this melts best and has that great cheese pull
- Marinara sauce: Tuck some extra aside for dunking—when you bake it in, it really soaks into the dough
- Meatballs: Mix up ground beef and Italian sausage for more flavor, and making them yourself really steps things up
- Pizza dough: Homemade is awesome, but store-bought still gets you crisp outsides and soft insides
Step-by-Step How-To:
- 1. Getting It Ready:
- Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Oil up your muffin pan really well with olive oil
- That way, you’ll get a crunchy crust, not stuck-on dough
- 2. Shaping the Dough:
- Take the dough and roll it into a rectangle about 12x15 inches on a floured counter
- Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut up 12 squares
- Stretch each one a little so it fits your muffin tin
- Push the pieces in so they reach the top edges
- 3. Building Each Cup:
- Sprinkle on a nice handful of shredded cheese next
- Give each dough square a spoon of marinara and spread it out
- Poke one meatball into each cup, nestling it down
- Put on another spoon of sauce
- Top with more cheese
- Add a drizzle of oil for golden tops
- 4. Time to Bake:
- Bake in the middle of your oven for 15-18 minutes—keep a close eye after 15
- Look for bubbling cheese and golden, toasted edges
- Let them cool off in the pan for a few minutes before popping them out
Legendary Meatballs:
Whenever I’m making these for company, homemade meatballs are the way to go. Use a mix of beef, pork, and even veal if you’re feeling fancy. Fresh herbs, garlic, and real Parmesan seriously boost flavor and make them unforgettable.
Sauce Tips:
You can totally use jarred marinara, but I like to simmer it down for about 10 minutes first. This gives you a thicker sauce that doesn’t run all over the place in the cups.
Save
Everyone at my house goes wild for the super crisp cheese edges where it melts over the top. Sometimes I sneak in a little more cheese just so we get even bigger crunchy bits.
Plan Ahead for Busy Days:
These bites freeze like a dream, so I often double up. Bake one batch now, stash the rest uncooked in the freezer. If guests drop in without warning, just bake them straight from the freezer—no thawing needed.
Awesome Sides to Try:
For an easy Italian-style meal, throw together some arugula with lemon and olive oil. The peppery greens really balance the cheesy, hearty bites.
I’ve made these for so many gatherings and dinner nights, they’re my favorite go-to whenever I want to wow people. They’re classic comfort food with a fun twist, great for everything from sports hangouts to fancier parties. Bonus: they taste awesome even after they’ve cooled down.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make these in advance?
- Sure can! Put them together up to 8 hours early, cover them, and keep in the fridge till baking time.
- → What meatballs work best?
- Use homemade or frozen Italian-style ones. Frozen meatballs go straight in—no need to thaw.
- → Can I swap out pizza dough?
- Yep! Two 8-ounce cans of crescent dough will work as a substitute for the pizza dough.
- → How do I tell when they're done?
- Look for bubbly cheese and golden crusts after about 15-18 minutes in a 375°F oven.
- → How many people does this serve?
- It makes 12 bites, so it’s great for sharing with 6-12 people as a light appetizer.