Meatball Appetizers

Tender, flavorful, and utterly irresistible, these Meatball Appetizers are a guaranteed hit for your next gathering! Made with a savory blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a hint of garlic, these bite-sized delights are perfectly seared for a golden crust before being baked to juicy perfection. Served smothered in a rich marinara sauce, they offer a classic Italian-inspired taste that's perfect for parties, potlucks, or any casual get-together. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy appetizer recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd while delivering big flavor. Pair with toothpicks for effortless serving, and don’t forget an extra sprinkle of Parmesan or parsley for an elegant finishing touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 cups Marinara sauce

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 3

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat until all the meat mixture is used (you should have about 24 meatballs).

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs in batches for 1–2 minutes per side until browned all over. Transfer the browned meatballs to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).

Step 6

Meanwhile, heat marinara sauce in a saucepan over low heat.

Step 7

Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and pour the warmed marinara sauce over the top. Garnish with extra chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Step 8

Serve warm with toothpicks as a crowd-pleasing appetizer!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1331.8 grams (1331.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2472

Total Fat 179.00g	229%
Saturated Fat 61.30g	307%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.40g
Cholesterol 741mg	247%
Sodium 4686mg	204%
Total Carbohydrate 60.40g	22%
Dietary Fiber 6.40g	23%
Total Sugars 13.60g
Protein 160.60g	321%

Vitamin D 48IU	240%
Calcium 443mg	34%
Iron 14mg	79%
Potassium 1256mg	27%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.6%

Protein: 25.7%

Carbs: 9.7%