Description
Meatball sub cupcakes playfully reimagine the sandwich by baking meatballs, marinara, and cheese into bread cups. These little savory bites are perfect as party appetizers or hearty snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 (1 oz) meatballs (frozen)
- 1¼ cups (296 ml) spaghetti sauce (premium)
- 1 (8 oz) can crescent dinner rolls (refrigerated)
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese (finely shredded)
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- ¾ tsp Italian seasoning blend
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF and generously coat a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Unroll the dough and stretch it into a rectangular shape approximately 8×18 inches. Slice the dough into 12 equal squares, carefully pressing each square into the prepared muffin cups to create a nestlike base.
- Create a creamy filling by blending softened cream cheese with Italian seasoning and half of the mozzarella cheese until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Layer the cheese mixture as the first component in each muffin cup, positioning a single meatball atop the cheese spread. Ladle spaghetti sauce over each meatball, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese across the top of each cupcake, providing a melty and golden finish.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the edges are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and allow the meatball sub cupcakes to rest for a few minutes, which helps them set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Customize meatball size to ensure perfect fit within cupcake dough, preventing overflow during baking.
- Opt for lean ground meat to reduce excess grease and create lighter, healthier cupcakes.
- Experiment with gluten-free crescent roll dough for celiac-friendly or low-gluten dietary needs.
- Consider using turkey or plant-based meatballs as alternative protein options for diverse dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 257
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg