Description
Delightful meatball sub cupcakes blend Italian-American comfort cuisine into playful handheld appetizers. Small savory treats combine robust marinara, melted cheese, and hearty meatballs nestled in crispy bread cups you can quickly devour.
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.
- Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown coloration and bubbling edges that indicate complete cooking.
- 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: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- 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