Looking for a warm, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s super easy to whip up? These Meatball Marinara Bites with Mozzarella are exactly what your game day spread or holiday party needs! They’re packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and sure to disappear faster than the final whistle. Plus, with just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have more time to enjoy the fun.

These little bites of joy combine juicy meatballs, tangy marinara, and ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese—all topped off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Served with a toothpick for easy grabbing, they’re perfect for casual snacking or impressing guests with minimal effort.

How to Make Meatball Marinara Bites

Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe

32 oz frozen meatballs
1 cup marinara sauce
8 oz Mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Step by Step Guide

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.

2. Place the frozen meatballs on the baking sheet and bake according to package instructions. For our Great Value meatballs, we baked them for 15 minutes. Easy-peasy!

3. While the meatballs bake, grab your cutting board and chop up the fresh parsley. This will be the finishing touch that adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.

4. Once the meatballs are out of the oven, switch your oven to broil. Spoon a little marinara sauce over each meatball. You want just enough to coat the top without drowning them in sauce—balance is key!

5. Now for the best part: the mozzarella! Sprinkle the freshly shredded cheese over the marinara-coated meatballs. Don’t be shy here—cheese makes everything better.

6. Pop the meatballs back into the oven, this time under the broiler, for about 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; you’re aiming for bubbly, golden-brown cheese, not burnt cheese!

7. Once the cheese is perfectly melted, take the meatballs out of the oven and top them with your freshly chopped parsley. The green parsley adds a nice contrast to the rich, cheesy bites.

8. For easy serving, insert a toothpick into each meatball. These little toothpick handles make them a breeze to grab during the party!

And there you have it! Now all that’s left is to serve them hot and watch them disappear. They’re the perfect finger food for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or a holiday feast.

Next time you’re planning a party or just want a quick appetizer that’s sure to impress, give these Meatball Marinara Bites with Mozzarella a try. They’re the ultimate finger food, and trust me—once you make them, they’ll be on repeat in your kitchen!

Ingredients

32 oz frozen meatballs
1 cup marinara sauce
8 oz Mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
Place the frozen meatballs on the baking sheet and bake according to package instructions. For our Great Value meatballs, we baked them for 15 minutes. Easy-peasy!
While the meatballs bake, grab your cutting board and chop up the fresh parsley. This will be the finishing touch that adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Once the meatballs are out of the oven, switch your oven to broil. Spoon a little marinara sauce over each meatball. You want just enough to coat the top without drowning them in sauce—balance is key!
Now for the best part: the mozzarella! Sprinkle the freshly shredded cheese over the marinara-coated meatballs. Don’t be shy here—cheese makes everything better.
Pop the meatballs back into the oven, this time under the broiler, for about 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; you’re aiming for bubbly, golden-brown cheese, not burnt cheese!
Once the cheese is perfectly melted, take the meatballs out of the oven and top them with your freshly chopped parsley. The green parsley adds a nice contrast to the rich, cheesy bites.
For easy serving, insert a toothpick into each meatball. These little toothpick handles make them a breeze to grab during the party!