Name: Meatball Marinara Poppers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 80 small meatballs (homemade or frozen, thawed if needed); 16 oz mozzarella cheese, freshly grated; 2 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite red sauce); 2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced; Add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to marinara for a kick; Layer a slice of pepperoni under each meatball for a pizza-style popper; Drizzle with pesto before serving for a herby punch; Swap mozzarella for provolone or smoked gouda for flavor variety

Meatball Marinara Poppers

Print Recipe

These Meatball Marinara Poppers are the ultimate party appetizer—tender meatballs smothered in rich marinara, topped with melty mozzarella, and finished with fresh herbs. Whether you use homemade or frozen meatballs, they’re quick, hearty, and disappear fast. This doubled version brings the heat—and a few tasty twists.

Author: annareynolds
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 16 1x

Ingredients

Scale

80 small meatballs (homemade or frozen, thawed if needed)

16 oz mozzarella cheese, freshly grated

2 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite red sauce)

2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced

Optional Twists:

Add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to marinara for a kick

Layer a slice of pepperoni under each meatball for a pizza-style popper

Drizzle with pesto before serving for a herby punch

Swap mozzarella for provolone or smoked gouda for flavor variety

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Arrange meatballs on a baking sheet or in a mini muffin tin.

Spoon marinara sauce over each meatball.

Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella.

Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Garnish with fresh parsley and optional pesto drizzle.

Serve warm with toothpicks or on mini skewers.

Nutrition

Calories: 260
Sugar: 2g
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 16g

Find it online: https://thecomfortspoon.com/meatball-marinara-poppers/