Get ready to transform your pizza night into an Italian-American feast with this incredible Meatball Pizza recipe! Imagine golden, crispy pizza crust piled high with rich tomato sauce, gooey melted mozzarella, and perfectly seasoned, tender meatballs. It’s a hearty, flavorful twist on a classic that’s sure to become a new family favorite. This recipe guides you through making delicious homemade meatballs and assembling a pizza that tastes like it came from your favorite pizzeria!
Why I Love This Recipe
This Meatball Pizza is a true celebration of comfort food. What I love most is the combination of homemade, savory meatballs (which are surprisingly easy to make!) with the convenience of store-bought pizza dough. It allows you to create a deeply flavorful pizza that feels gourmet but is totally approachable. The balance of the rich tomato sauce, the two layers of melted mozzarella, and the perfectly seasoned meatballs creates an irresistible experience in every bite. It’s hearty, satisfying, and always brings smiles to the table – perfect for sharing with family and friends!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this fantastic Meatball Pizza:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
For Assembling the Pizza:
- 2 (16 ounce) pizza dough balls (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving (Optional):
- Dried or fresh parsley, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Swaps and Notes
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is recommended for the meatballs. You can also use a mix of beef and pork, or even ground turkey for a leaner option (though beef provides classic flavor).
- Parmesan Cheese (Meatballs): Freshly grated Parmesan will offer the best flavor.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko creates a lighter, crispier meatball texture than regular breadcrumbs.
- Herbs (Meatballs): Adjust basil and oregano to your preference. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick.
- Pizza Dough: Store-bought fresh pizza dough from your grocery store’s refrigerated section is a huge time-saver. You can also use frozen dough (thawed) or your favorite homemade recipe.
- Pizza Sauce: Use a good quality jarred pizza sauce. Marinara sauce can also be used.
- Shredded Mozzarella: Whole milk mozzarella tends to melt gooier than part-skim.
- Optional Toppings: Feel free to add other pizza toppings you enjoy, such as sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives, directly onto the pizza before the final cheese layer.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Meatball Pizza baked to perfection!
- Preheat Oven & Prep Meatball Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a standard baking sheet (sheet tray) with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef, lightly beaten large egg, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried basil, and ½ teaspoon dried oregano. Use your hands (it’s the best tool here!) to gently but thoroughly combine all the ingredients until well mixed. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Form & Bake Meatballs: Roll 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture into a uniform ball and place it on the prepared parchment-lined sheet tray. Ensure you leave some space between each meatball to allow them to cook evenly. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Let the cooked meatballs cool slightly while you prepare the pizza crust.
- Prepare Pizza Crust (First Pizza): Lightly spray a 14-inch pizza pan (or a large baking sheet if you don’t have a round pan) with cooking spray. Add one of the pizza dough balls into the center of the pan. Gently stretch it out evenly to be the same size as the pan. If the dough shrinks back too much, let it rest for 5 minutes (this relaxes the gluten) before attempting to stretch it again.
- Pre-Bake Crust: Use a fork to pierce the dough all over, which helps prevent large bubbles from forming. Brush ½ tablespoon of olive oil evenly over the surface of the dough. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until it is lightly browned and slightly firm. This pre-bake helps ensure a crispy crust.
- Prep Meatballs for Topping: While the crust is pre-baking, carefully cut the cooled meatballs in half. Set them aside.
- Assemble the First Pizza: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Add ½ cup of pizza sauce onto the dough and spread it out evenly, leaving about a half-inch border along the edge. Top with ¼ of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Arrange half of the sliced meatballs evenly over the cheese. Top with another ¼ of the shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle ½ teaspoon of dried oregano and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder on top for extra flavor.
- Bake First Pizza: Place the assembled pizza back into the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned in spots. Let the pizza sit for 5 minutes before cutting to allow the cheese to set.
- Repeat for Second Pizza: Repeat the entire process (steps 5-8) with the remaining pizza dough ball and ingredients to make a second delicious Meatball Pizza.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix Meatballs: Overmixing the meatball mixture can lead to tough meatballs. Mix just until combined.
- Pre-Bake Crust: This step is crucial for preventing a soggy pizza crust, especially with a heavier topping like meatballs.
- Even Meatball Sizing: Aim for similar-sized meatballs so they cook evenly. Cutting them in half ensures they are manageable on the pizza.
- Don’t Overload: Stick to the recommended amounts of sauce and cheese to ensure the pizza bakes properly and isn’t soggy.
- Rest Before Slicing: Allowing the pizza to rest for a few minutes after baking helps the cheese set, making for cleaner slices.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Meatball Pizza is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with classic Italian-American sides:
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would offer a refreshing contrast to the rich pizza.
- Garlic Knots or Breadsticks: Perfect for soaking up any extra sauce or for dipping.
- Extra Parmesan Cheese: Offer more grated Parmesan cheese at the table for guests to sprinkle on top.
- Red Pepper Flakes: A side of crushed red pepper flakes for those who like a little extra heat.
- For other comforting Italian-inspired meals, consider our Classic Spaghetti Recipe with Homemade Sauce or a quick weeknight favorite like This Instant Pot Lasagna Is My Favorite Way to Make Comfort Food Fast.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Leftover Meatball Pizza is delicious and makes for a great quick meal!
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftover pizza slices in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap/foil in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat slices in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the crust is re-crisped (about 10-15 minutes). You can also microwave, but the crust won’t be as crispy.
- Freezing: You can freeze leftover pizza slices! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 1-2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven or toaster oven for a crispier result.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the cheesy, savory, and easy nature of this Meatball Pizza, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, crowd-pleasing recipes:
- For another incredibly popular cheesy dish that disappears fast, check out This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is The Reason I Never Have Leftovers.
- If you’re a fan of super easy sheet-pan meals for feeding a crowd, don’t miss These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast!
- And for another go-to cozy chicken dinner that’s super versatile, our These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners are a winner.
Final Thoughts
This Meatball Pizza recipe is a delicious testament to the power of combining homemade goodness with clever shortcuts. It’s hearty, satisfying, and brings all the beloved flavors of Italian-American comfort food to your table in a fun, shareable format. Perfect for a family dinner, a casual get-together, or when you simply crave a truly satisfying slice of pizza!
Give this recipe a try and transform your next pizza night! What are your go-to pizza toppings? Share your ideas in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!
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