Best Meatball Pizza Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Tender, flavor-packed meatballs are sliced and layered with fresh mozzarella, parmesan cheese and a spaghetti and a meatball-inspired marinara sauce, in theBest Meatball Pizza Recipe. Topped with a fresh dusting of parmesan cheese, this simple pizza will become a new favorite! Perfect for leftover meatballs!

I can’t get enough of this. And I’m sure you won’t be able to either, so be SURE to check out our recipe for The Best Spaghetti and Meatballs There Ever Was (where the meatballs from this recipe come from), this Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese, and this Best Pepperoni and Bacon Pizza.

Best Meatball Pizza Recipe (1)

Do you ever become completely, inexplicably in love with something food related? Something you could eat every single day for the rest of eternity and be completely at peace?

I have several, but hands down, the food I basically lose sleep over at night, are meatballs.

I love them. Any kind really. Beef, pork, chicken – they all have a space in my heart. But! If I have to chose the equivalent of a soul mate in my meatball world, it’s hands-down, the classic version. Beef and Italian sausage, packed with crushed saltine crackers, lots of parmesan, spices, garlic, and pan-fried until irresistibly crusty and brown.

Meatballs – they go with everything!

Even after they’ve made their appearance in the more classic vessel of spaghetti and meatballs, I find ways to transform them into something I can eat for days on end. These Meatball Sliders are a favorite, but I’ve also been known to throw them in a lasagna-inspired soup, or obviously, nestled into hoagies, and smothered with mozzarella for a take on a meatball sub.

Best Meatball Pizza Recipe (2)

Here’s the thing. This pizza is SO good. But it’s superiority to any other pizza pie comes from the following:

  • a pizza stone
  • screaming hot oven (550 degrees or however high yours will go)
  • simple, homemade sauce (tomato paste, water, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and oregano)
  • fresh mozzarella cheese
  • ONLY the best meatballs (<– this is numero uno)

Because our perfect meatballs, basically make this pizza, I highly recommend using them as opposed to any other meatball recipe, or store-bought. However, if you’re in a pinch, or already have a different version of meatballs leftover and ready to use, go for it.

Best Meatball Pizza Recipe (3)

How to make The Best Meatball Pizza Recipe

  • Start with a quality pizza crust
  • Stretch your pizza dough with your hands instead of rolling it. (Love this tutorial.)
  • Form dough on a well floured pizza peel. We love this oneBest Meatball Pizza Recipe (4)
  • As you stretch the pizza dough into your desired shape, move the dough around to ensure it will slide off easily.
  • Don’t over sauce! This was always my mistake. You don’t want the pizza weighed down by its ingredients. Less is more. Always.
  • Once the dough is evenly covered in sauce, layer the cheese and meatball slices. I like to put a layer of meatballs down, followed by a layer of cheese, then repeat. This way, there are some meatballs that get covered in cheese, and some that are resting on top of the cheese.
  • Season with a little bit of salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
  • Slide into the oven!

I’ve gone into detail on how to achieve the most perfect pizzeria-style pizza in this post, so be sure to check it out. Surprisingly, there are a lot of ways you can go wrong when making pizza, but if you follow our tips and tricks, you will have restaurant-quality pizza every time. Promise.

Best Meatball Pizza Recipe (5)

Pretty things/Tools Used in Today’s Post

What to serve with Best Meatball Pizza

  • Everyday Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
  • Chopped Tuscan Salad (From the salad bar!)
  • Citrus Salad with Goat Cheese Croquettes

Best Meatball Pizza Recipe (8)

<img src="https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-720x720.jpg" class="mv-create-image no_pin ggnoads" data-pin-nopin="true" alt="Tender, flavor-packed meatballs are sliced and layered with fresh mozzarella, parmesan cheese and a spaghetti and a meatball-inspired marinara sauce, in theBest Meatball Pizza Recipe. Topped with a fresh dusting of parmesan cheese, this simple pizza will become a new favorite! Perfect for leftover meatballs!" srcset="https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-720x720.jpg.webp 720w, https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-180x180.jpg.webp 180w, https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-500x500.jpg.webp 500w, https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-1000x1000.jpg.webp 1000w, https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-188x188.jpg.webp 188w, https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-200x200.jpg.webp 200w, https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-320x320.jpg.webp 320w, https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-480x480.jpg.webp 480w, https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1-150x150.jpg.webp 150w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" data-pin-media="https://www.cookingforkeeps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Best-Meatball-Pizza-Recipe-3-1.jpg">

Best Meatball Pizza Recipe

Yield: 1 14-inch pizza

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Tender, flavor-packed meatballs are sliced and layered with fresh mozzarella, parmesan cheese and a spaghetti and meatball-inspired marinara sauce. Topped with a fresh dusting of parmesan cheese, this simple pizza will become a new favorite! Perfect for leftover meatballs!

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 lb pizza dough (I got mine from Whole Foods, waited a day to bake it and it was PERFECTLY chewy and delicious)
  • 4 large meatballs from The Best Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Put pizza stone into oven. Preheat to 550 degrees. Let stone heat up for 20 minutes.
  2. Add tomato paste, water, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and sugar to a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
  3. Slice meatballs into 1/8-inch slices
  4. Stretch pizza dough out with hands into a 14-inch circle or equal rectangle on a well floured pizza peel. Make sure to move the dough around frequently to ensure it slides off the board easily. Add more flour if necessary.
  5. Spread pizza dough with marinara/pizza sauce. Scatter half of the meatballs slices over the sauce and dough. Scatter half of the mozzarella around. Repeat. Season with a little bit of salt. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
  6. Slice pizza off of peel and on to pizza stone. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are crisp and brown, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Cool for a few minutes before slicing and garnish with extra parmesan cheese.

Notes

While you can use your own meatballs or store-bought, I HIGHLY recommend using the meatballs from our recipe The Best Spaghetti and Meatballs there ever was. The meatballs are the PERFECT consistency, so flavorful, and you'll be glad you made them! Make spaghetti and meatballs the night before, then this the next day!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8Serving Size: 1 piece
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 314Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 609mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 14g

Best Meatball Pizza Recipe (9)

Best Meatball Pizza Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to the best pizza? ›

11 Essential Tips for Better Pizza | The Food Lab
  • Pick the Right Style.
  • Remember Your Dough-Making Options.
  • For a Better Crust, Try Cold Fermenting.
  • Buy Dough If You're in a Hurry.
  • Use a Rolling Pin If You Need To.
  • Top Your Pies Wisely.
  • Get Your Oven As Hot As You Can.
  • Use a Baking Steel.

What is the secret of a tender meatball? ›

Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness. Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

How to make homemade pizza more flavorful? ›

If you're keen to intensify its flavor even more, enhance the dough further – either with infused oil brushed over top, cheese woven into its edges or a combination of herbs and spices kneaded into it or sprinkled on it.

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become. 3. Concentration of Flavors: Simmering at a low temperature for an extended period also encourages the sauce to reduce and thicken.

What is the best binder for meatballs? ›

An egg is usually a good start, as that can help with the tenderness and texture, but the king of meatball binders is breadcrumbs soaked in milk (also known as a panade). Soaking the breadcrumbs first makes them pliable and soggy, which allows them to easily and evenly mix into the ground meat.

Is it better to fry or bake meatballs? ›

Baking will result in meatballs with a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior. Baked meatballs take the least amount of effort, as you'll only need to turn them once or twice throughout the cook and you can make a larger batch at once.

How do you make pizza taste like a restaurant? ›

Simmer Your Sauce

The best way to achieve restaurant style pizza sauce is by making it yourself. Don't bother using fresh tomatoes. Canned whole San Marzano tomatoes are the most consistent in quality, and have the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

What seasoning makes pizza taste better? ›

Popular Seasonings and Herbs to Add to Pizza
  1. Parmesan Cheese. Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese that can be grated, shredded or shaved over the top of pizza after it has finished baking. ...
  2. Italian Seasoning. ...
  3. Oregano. ...
  4. Garlic. ...
  5. Red Pepper Flakes. ...
  6. Parsley. ...
  7. Basil. ...
  8. Thyme.
Apr 21, 2023

What makes a pizza taste best? ›

Good dough, good sauce, and good cheese together can make a great pizza. the most important part of the sauce is good tomatoes. Italian tomatoes are the best: they just are. Then you need to cook the tomatoes with some fats.

How do real Italians eat meatballs? ›

In Italy, meatballs are most often a stand-alone dish. Called polpettes, Italian meatballs are often served sauceless and are much smaller than the meatballs you're probably used to. Traditional Italian meatballs typically contain equal portions of meat and soaked bread, and other additions such as egg and vegetables.

What's the difference between meatballs and Italian meatballs? ›

Homestyle meatballs are often larger, served with red sauce and pasta, while Italian-style meatballs can be smaller and are more versatile in their serving options.

What's in Papa John's meatballs? ›

Meatball. Beef, pork, Water, Breadcrumbs (wheat flour, salt, yeast), Salt, Spices, Dried Garlic, Dried Parsley, Natural Flavors, Dried Onion, Silicon Dioxide (anticaking), Ricotta cheese (pasteurized whey, milk and vinegar), Romano cheese (cultured milk, salt, enzymes, cellulose to prevent caking).

What makes a pizza the best pizza? ›

Balance – the ratio of tomato and mozzarella, or toppings on the pizza in general, is very important. The toppings should complement the base of the pizza. The dough is not just a blank canvas…it is the foundation of the pizza. If it is not good, there is no topping that can redeem it.

What makes pizza more tasty? ›

Cheese and tomatoes have some of the highest natural levels of glutamate. Glutamate: an amino acid (one of the building blocks of DNA) is found in every pizza ingredient and is a critical component in giving pizza its flavor. Glutamate is found in protein-rich foods like wheat flour, cheese, meat and some vegetables.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Last Updated:

Views: 6581

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Birthday: 1994-06-25

Address: Suite 153 582 Lubowitz Walks, Port Alfredoborough, IN 72879-2838

Phone: +128413562823324

Job: IT Strategist

Hobby: Video gaming, Basketball, Web surfing, Book restoration, Jogging, Shooting, Fishing

Introduction: My name is Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner, I am a zany, graceful, talented, witty, determined, shiny, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.