Puff Pastry Meatball Marinara Bites

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Made with just 5 ingredients, these puff pastry meatball marinara bites are fluffy and cheesy goodness and the perfect appetizer.

puff pastry meatball bites

Why You’ll Love Puff Pastry Meatball Marinara Bites:

Puff pastry meatball marinara bites are a delightful twist on a classic comfort food favorite. These delectable morsels combine the flaky, buttery goodness of puff pastry with savory meatballs and rich marinara sauce. The puff pastry adds a delightful textural contrast to the tender meatballs, providing a crispy, golden-brown exterior that complements the saucy, meaty filling perfectly. Each bite is a delightful explosion of flavors and textures, making them an ideal appetizer or party snack that will surely please a crowd.

The beauty of puff pastry meatball marinara bites lies in their versatility. They can be served as a mouthwatering appetizer at cocktail parties, game day gatherings, or as a quick and easy weeknight dinner option. The combination of juicy meatballs, zesty marinara sauce, and the irresistible flakiness of puff pastry creates a harmonious and indulgent experience that’s sure to leave your taste buds craving for more. Whether enjoyed as a snack or part of a meal, these bites are a delicious and convenient way to savor the classic flavors of meatball marinara in a delightful bite-sized form.

Check out some other mouthwatering appetizers like Southern Deviled Eggs RecipeFried Dill PicklesComeback SauceSouthern-Style BBQ Air Fryer WingsLittle Smokies Pigs In A Blanket, and Cheeseburger Dip.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Puff Pastry Meatball Marinara Bites:

ingredients for puff pastry meatball marinara bites

Recipe Ingredients:

  • Spaghetti Sauce (I used garlic and it was wonderful)
  • Meatballs (my homemade recipe) or store bought frozen ones that have been precooked)
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • 1-2 puff pastry sheets

Helpful Kitchen Tools

How to Make Puff Pastry Meatball Marinara Bites:

thaw puff pastry sheets

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Thaw puff pastry (1 sheet for 12, 2 sheets for 24). Unroll the puff pastry on a floured surface to the size of a muffin pan.

press muffin tin down on puff pastry

Place the muffin pan on top of the dough and press down, creating little indentations.

indentations on the puff pastry

The indentations should look like this.

Use the indents to guide cutting 12 squares out of the puff pastry

Use the indents to guide your cutting of 12 squares, one for each of the 12 muffin cups.

press puff pastry squares into tins

Spray the muffin pan with non stick spray and place a dough square in each muffin well, pressing down to the sides.

**If you’re looking to level-up your muffin tin game, you HAVE to try this muffin tin by Caraway! It’s our favorite!!

Bake for 12-14 minutes, until golden brown.

use a wooden spoon to make room for meatballs

Once removed, use a wooden spoon and immediately press down the center to make room for the meatball.

add marinara

Fill each cup with 1/2 tablespoon spaghetti sauce…

add cooked meatball

…1 cooked meatball…

***If you use frozen precooked meatballs, you can simply cook them in the microwave or oven before doing this part.***

add mozzarella cheese

…and top with mozzarella cheese.

return to the oven and bake until cheese melted

Return bites to oven and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted. 

serve puff pastry meatball marinara bites warm

Serve warm!

 

puff pastry meatball bites

Puff Pastry Meatball Marinara Bites

Ingredients

  • 1-2 sheets Puff Pastry sheets
  • 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce
  • 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 12-24 Meatballs frozen, precooked. Either store bought or homemade - you'll need 1 meatball for every two bites

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Thaw out 1 sheet for 12, or 2 sheets for 24 meatball puff things. Unroll it out on a floured surface to the size of a muffin pan. Place the muffin pan on top of the dough and press down, creating little indentations. Use the indents to guide your cutting of 12 squares for the cups.
  • Spray the muffin pan with non stick spray and place a dough square in each muffin well, pressing down to the sides. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until golden brown. Once removed, use a wooden spoon and immediately press down the center to make room for the meatball. Fill each cup with 1/2 tablespoon spaghetti sauce, 1 cooked meatball, and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for another 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
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39 Comments

  1. I made these with phyllo cups instead of the puff pastry (I couldn’t find them at Kroger). They turned out really nice and everyone liked them.

  2. Christy,

    I am an Alabama girl myself so I imagine we have some of the same grocery store chains. Where do you buy mini puff pastry shells?

  3. These look like a must try! I am always looking for a little something substantial for guy appetizers. Don’t get me wrong, I love my fu fu dips, but sometimes the guys just want their meat and potatoes, if you know what I mean! I bet you could mix it up with Italian sausage and have a Pizza Tart?

  4. How about pumpkin pie filling without the crust. (I guess you would call that pumpkin pudding.) After it is cooked drop a dollop into each pastry cup. Top with a smaller dollop of whipped cream (fresh of course, using your recipe). These would make super little desserts for a party.

    1. I know Brittainy, yall are just wonderful! I’ve got some of the finest people walking this earth reading Southern Plate and I sure am lucky to have yall!

      I don’t know about me being talented but I will admit to a busy mind and great fortune in having people like you read my ramblings!
      Gratefully,
      Christy 🙂

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