Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Meatball Parm Skewers featuring tender beef meatballs simmered in a rich marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella, fresh basil, and parmesan. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a flavorful main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp. chopped parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings and Garnish
- 6 mozzarella slices, cut into small squares
- Fresh basil leaves, for serving
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare garlic: Mince two of the garlic cloves finely for the meatballs, and thinly slice the remaining two cloves to use in the marinara sauce later.
- Make meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, beaten egg, chopped parsley, minced garlic, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the meat.
- Form and brown meatballs: Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning to brown all sides evenly until a crust forms, about 5-7 minutes. Remove meatballs from the skillet and wipe skillet clean.
- Simmer meatballs in sauce: Return skillet to medium heat and pour in marinara sauce. Stir in the thinly sliced garlic cloves and remaining Parmesan. Bring sauce to a gentle simmer then add the browned meatballs back into the pan. Spoon sauce over meatballs, cover with a lid, and cook for 10-12 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
- Add cheese topping: Place small mozzarella squares on top of each meatball. Cover the pan again and cook for a few more minutes until the cheese melts completely. Turn off heat.
- Serve with basil and skewers: Top each cheesy meatball with a folded fresh basil leaf and pierce with a toothpick or skewer for easy serving. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, do not overmix the meatball ingredients to keep them tender.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use fresh mozzarella if available for creamier melted cheese.
- Serve with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: meatball parm skewers, Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, basil, easy appetizer, party food
