Simple Fare, Fairly Simple

If you're a regular follower here on SFFS, you know we love meatballs and pizza. So when I saw Giada make something similar to this the other day, I figured I'd switch it up and try my hand at it. I wasn't thrilled with her ingredients list so I made it more to our liking. And we liked it! A lot. So easy to prepare. And great for leftovers, too.

Pizza Meatballs

1 green pepper

1 small onion

2 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese

2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon Italian seasonings

Rough chop onion and pepper. Combine chopped veggies and the rest of the above ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until well blended.

Then.....

1 pound ground beef

1 pound Italian sausage

1/3 cup bread crumbs

¼ cup milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

Contents from food processor

Mozzarella cubes

Combine these ingredients, except mozzarella cubes, in a large bowl. Shape into golf ball sized meatballs. Using your thumb, make an indentation into the meatball. Place a mozzarella cube inside then close meatball, making sure cheese is enclosed.

In a large skillet, cook meatballs over medium heat. You may have to do this in two batches if your skillet is not REALLY big. Or, you could place the meatballs on a cookie sheet and cook them in the oven at 375 for about 30 minutes.

After meatballs are almost done, pour a jar of marinara sauce over them. Heat on the stovetop over medium heat for about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve over noodles.

 

Here's everything you'll need.

 

Rough chop the onion and pepper then 

throw them in the food processor along 

with the garlic, tomato paste, 

1 cup of mozzarella cheese, red pepper flakes

and the Italian seasoning.

 

Give it a whirl!!

 

Dump the mixture in a large bowl along 

with the meats, egg, breadcrumbs, 

milk, salt and pepper. Mix it well.

 

Have you ever seen these Mozzarella Pearls? 

Aren't they cute? Perfect for this recipe 

but of course you can use just cubed mozzarella.

 

Form your meatball then put an 

indentation on one side with your thumb.

 

See? Just like that.

 

Then put a piece of mozzarella cheese in the little hole.

 

Then cover it up.

 

Repeat until all meatballs have been made 

then throw them in a skillet with a little olive oil. 

Brown them on all sides. You may have to do

this in two batches if your skillet isn't big enough.

 

When all the meatballs have been browned, 

place them all back in the skillet and cover with marinara sauce.

Allow them to cook for 30 minutes or so,
then cover with Parmesan cheese.
Serve over noodles. 
So yum!!