Mini Meatball Appetizers w/ Bertolli Reserva Marinara

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With the holiday season approaching, I want to share these fun and festive Mini Meatball Appetizers! If you are like me, I love to give holiday parties, and celebrate the season, and unique and yummy appetizers are my favorite things to serve. I made these appetizers using Bertolli Reserva Marinara with Parmigiano Reggiano and YUM! This year marks Bertolli's 150th Anniversary! Help us celebrate 150 years of Bertolli's authentic, delicious flavors and the launch of Bertolli® Riserva sauces! If you would like to celebrate with $1.50 off coupon, click on the above link and then click on products!

Did I mention that I like "easy to make" appetizers? You have found the perfect one!

 Mini Meatball Appetizers

Pork Meatball Mini Sub/#FoodieExtravaganza

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Every fall when football season rolls around, I try to make at least one new sandwich or appetizer that we haven't served in the past. This year our special sandwich is this Pork Meatball Mini Sub! This mini sub is a made up of ground pork with a little ground chuck mixed in, some seasoning and parmesan cheese, and they are served on the cutest little buns ever! They look great and taste even better, making them perfect for friends and family!

Today for #FoodieExtravaganza, everyone is cooking with pork. Once you have checked out my recipe, keep scrolling down the page to see what the rest of the #FoodieExtravaganza family created.

Pork Meatball Mini Sub

Mini Meatball Subs/#Foodie Extravaganza and a Giveaway!

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It's that time of year when we are busy celebrating our favorite football teams with tailgating  and parties. It is also that time of year when many of us are watching what we eat, resolving to try to do it healthier during the new year. I think this Mini Meatball Sub is perfect for watching the
 game, and because it is made with oatmeal it helps you feel better about eating and loving it!

I made this recipe to be quick and easy. It takes longer to roll the meatballs, than anything else. I used a jar of sauce instead of making it from scratch. There were several reasons for this. First, it is easier and quicker. Whether you are entertaining, making dinner or just trying to get a meal done and on the table, quick and easy is usually a priority. Second, I used a sauce that I knew was great tasting, has no added sugar, and low sodium.  I have used this sauce many times, Silver Palate San Marzano Pasta Sauce. I love substituting the oatmeal for the breadcrumbs. The oatmeal gives the meatballs a great texture, just like the breadcrumbs, and oatmeal is packed with vitamin b, and has no salt. Give it a try.

You won't be disappointed!

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs w/ a Quick and Easy Sauce

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 Do you love meatballs? How about Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs!? Ya know, I don't think I have ever heard anyone say no to that question!  Whether you are 1 or 100, everyone seems to love meatballs. Add this quick and easy sauce, and they will love you too!

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs w/a Quick and Easy Sauce

Final Four Buffalo Chicken Meatballs!

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One of my favorite times of the year is March Madness! I love the excitement and fun of the Final Four tournament, and watching the players play for the love of the game! There is nothing better than a Final Four Party, and this year I am serving one of my favorite dishes: Final Four Buffalo Chicken Meatballs! These are cooked in the crock pot; so easy, and so tasty. The blue cheese sauce is the perfect addition. You're gonna love 'em!

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

with Tangy Blue Cheese Sauce

1 Egg
4 teaspoons Hot Sauce, divided
1 pound Ground Chicken Breast
2 tablespoons plain dry Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup diced Onion
1-2 teaspoons vegetable Oil

Blue Cheese Sauce
1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup crumbled Blue Cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped Celery
1 tablespoon mayo

Whisk your egg and 2 teaspoons of the hot sauce in a
medium bowl until smooth and blended well.

Add chicken, bread crumbs, and onions.

Mix the ingredients together well.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Form the mix into round meatballs, and place in
frying pan with 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable oil.
Brush the meatballs with the remaining 2 teaspoons
of hot sauce. Brown the outsides of the meatballs.

Once the meatballs are browned,
 place them in your crock pot.
Add the sauce from your bowl to the crockpot.
Add more hot sauce if you would like to turn up the heat.
Let the meatballs and sauce cook for 2 hours on high
or 4 hours on low.

Stir together the yogurt, cheese, celery, and mayonnaise
in a small bowl. Blend together and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Serve your meatballs with a side of the sauce
and enjoy the game!

Thanks so much for joining me today!

I am so happy to be back blogging, and I appreciate

you reading this!

Stuffed Meatballs!

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Todays addition to our Football Extravaganza is Stuffed Meatballs! These meatballs are moist and delicious and the mozzarella centers make them extra special.

 

Stuffed Meatballs

(adapted from Perfect Party Food)

1 pound Ground Beef

1/2 cup chopped Onion

1/2 clove Garlic, minced

Grated zest of 1/2 Lemon

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

3/4 cup Parmesan Style Bread Crumbs

2 Large Eggs, beaten

Oil for frying

Chop your onion.

Put the ground beef and the onion in a bowl.

Add chopped garlic.

Zest the lemon and add it to the bowl.

Add the black pepper, bread crumbs, and the eggs.

Mix together.

Use a scoop if you have one, if not just form with your hands.

Then flatten the meatball just slightly, and

insert a piece of cheese in the middle of the meatball.

Form the meatball over the cheese until it is a round ball again.

Make all the meatballs.

Start cooking the meatballs in the oil in the pan.

Turn the meatballs as they get brown.

While the meatballs are cooking, cook the marinara.

Canola Oil

1 1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Pepper

1/2 cup Finely chopped Onion

San Marzano Tomatoes, peeled 

1 teaspoon Sugar

Put the tomatoes in the food processor  and chop.

If you don't have a food processor, cut by hand into small

bite size pieces.

It should look like this.

 

 Cut the onions.

In a pot, heat your oil, and the add the onions. Cook the 

onions until they are clear. Ignore the tomatoes in the pictures.

I dropped a spoonful in the pan when I was moving them. Sorry!

Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar.

Let simmer. Then let the sauce cook for 30-45 minutes.

Stir occasionally until thicker.

As the meatballs brown, add them to the sauce. Let

them cook in the sauce for about 1/2 hour. Then serve.

Enjoy!

Thanks for joining The Freshman Cook today!

Please stop  by tomorrow when we will be baking

up a storm making 

"The Boys of Fall" Cupcakes!!

See you then!!