Meatball appetizers are a crowd-pleasing favorite for any occasion, whether it’s holiday parties, game days, picnics or pool parties.. These little bites of savory goodness are versatile and can be made in many different ways to suit any flavor profile. Using frozen meatballs makes for some easy appetizers, and taking the time for homemade meatballs using an old great recipe can really bring on the nostalgic feelings of childhood. Usually a meatball appetizer recipe can be put in a slow cooker to ease the prep of warming and serving. You’ll find these ideas are not only a delicious appetizer, but also could be transformed into a main course.  

These delicious meatball recipes only require simple ingredients. If making homemade, you’ll need meat, eggs, bread crumbs and seasonings. The best way to simplify is to use frozen meatballs. Using a variety of sauces or different herbs and seasonings makes a lot of unique flavor blends. 

Next time you need an easy meatball appetizer, be sure to grab one of these ideas to elevate your meatball game:

1. Classic Italian Meatballs: Serve small meatballs in a rich marinara sauce, topped with shredded mozzarella and fresh basil. Skewer them with toothpicks for easy serving!
2. Sweet & Spicy Meatballs: Combine lean ground beef or turkey meatballs with a sweet chili sauce for a zesty flavor combo. You can even add a sprinkle of sesame seeds or fresh cilantro for extra flair.
3. Swedish Meatballs: Swedish meatballs are cooked in a rich creamy gravy sauce for a family favorite. Try this recipe for the sauce ingredients!
4. Sweet and Sour Meatballs: These tender meatballs are good skewered with some pineapple and pepper chunks and covered in sweet and sour sauce.
5. Grape Jelly Meatballs: The ever famous grape jelly meatballs! Just mix grape jelly and bbq sauce and pour over those meatballs. Warm in the crock pot for a couple hours. 
6. Teriyaki Meatballs: This quick recipe uses simple pantry ingredients like honey, soy sauce, and brown sugar. So tasty. 
7. Meatball Sliders: Use half ground turkey and half beef for a bit less calories. Then load on the cheese and burger toppings. 🙂
8. Meatballs in Barbecue Sauce: Simply heat meatballs in your favorite bbq sauce. Extremely simple, but no doubt a favorite.

Meat Lovers Cheesy Meatball Bites

This tasty dish is loaded with protein and is super simple to prepare. (You may even consider letting the kids handle this one!) Meat Lovers Cheesy Meatball Bites have crescent roll dough as their crust and are filled with pepperoni, bacon and a meatball, plus some sauce, cheese, and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning and parmesan. 

Find the RECIPE below.

To make the ‘crusts’, roll out your crescent dough and cut into 12 ‘square-ish’  pieces. Now place each piece in a muffin tin, pressing out flat and slightly up the sides. Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce into each cavity, and then add a sprinkle of mozzarella.

Now for the meat! Chop up some pepperoni slices and mix with real bacon crumbles. Sprinkle a little in each muffin tin and place a frozen meatball on top. No need to thaw them! Top with a little more sauce and a little more cheese. Finish with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning and parmesan. 

Pop them in the oven for 16-18 min, and they will be ready to be devoured! 

Meat Lovers Cheesy Meatball Bites

Delicious Pizza Cups, perfect for a snack or appetizer.

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Ingredients

• 1 8-oz can crescent rolls
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2/3 cup marinara sauce
• 12 frozen meatballs
• 24 pepperoni slices
• 1/4 c real bacon bits
• Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Spray a 12 tin muffin pan with non-stick spray.
2. Unroll crescent dough and divide into 12 squares. (I found it easiest to cut it into squares with kitchen scissors!). Press one square of dough in each muffin cup, pressing it down and slightly up the sides.
3. Spoon a little sauce into the bottom of each cup, followed by a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
4. Chop the pepperoni slices and mix with the bacon bits. Divide into the 12 cups and then place a frozen meatball on top.
5. Spoon a little more sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella onto each meatball.
6. Lightly sprinkle with Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese.
7. Bake for 16-18 min until dough is golden brown. Let cool a few minutes before removing from the muffin pan.