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Monster Eyeball Meatballs

Juicy Italian meatballs baked in marinara with mozzarella and olive eyeballs staring back at you. The best spooky party appetizer!
Print Recipe
Servings: 12 meatballs
Course: Appetizer
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 12 small mozzarella balls bocconcini
  • 12 black olive slices
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Oven-safe skillet

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until just combined. Roll into 12 meatballs.
  2. Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs 2 minutes per side, then pour in the marinara sauce.
  3. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake 12–15 minutes, until the meatballs reach 160°F inside.
  4. Nestle a mozzarella ball on top of each meatball, then press a black olive slice into each as the pupil. Return to the oven 3 minutes to melt.
  5. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve straight from the skillet!

Notes

  • Bake until the meatballs reach 160°F inside.
  • Serve straight from the skillet.