Game Day Meatball Sub Bites (Printable)
Warm, cheesy bite-sized meatball subs perfect for parties. Easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
# What You Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/4 cup milk
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Sub Bites
11 - 2 cans (8 ounces each) refrigerated biscuit dough or 24 small dinner rolls
12 - 1 cup marinara sauce
13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, milk, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
03 - Shape the mixture into 24 small meatballs, each approximately 1 inch in diameter.
04 - Arrange meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through.
05 - While meatballs are baking, lightly grease a mini muffin tin. Flatten each biscuit or roll and press into the muffin cups to create shells.
06 - Place one baked meatball in each dough cup. Top each with 2 teaspoons marinara sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
07 - Brush the edges of the dough with melted butter using a pastry brush.
08 - Bake at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes until the dough is golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
09 - Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- These two-bite wonders eliminate the mess of traditional meatball subs while keeping all the flavors you crave.
- The biscuit dough cups get perfectly crispy on the outside but stay soft where they meet the sauce, creating this magical texture contrast that makes everyone reach for seconds.
02 -
- The first time I made these, I skipped pre-cooking the meatballs and ended up with raw centers and burnt dough cups.
- Letting the baked bites rest for 3 minutes before removing from the muffin tin prevents the dreaded collapse when theyre still too hot and fragile.
03 -
- If the biscuit dough is sticking to your fingers when youre pressing it into the muffin cups, dust your hands with a little flour or spritz them with cooking spray.
- For the absolute best flavor balance, use a marinara sauce that has a slight sweetness to counteract the savory meatballs and cheese.