Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs

Ingredients:

Garlic Infusion:

• 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
• 2-3 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 1/2 teaspoon of Italian herb blend
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Meatball Bombs:

• 12 bakery-style dinner rolls
• 1 1/2 cups of your preferred marinara sauce
• 12 Italian-style meatballs, thawed if frozen
• 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces of whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with olive oil cooking spray. Set it aside.
2. Garlic Infusion: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, finely grated garlic, Italian herb blend, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk them together until well blended, creating a flavorful garlic butter. Set this aside for later use.
3. Roll Prep: Place the bakery-style dinner rolls in the prepared baking pan. To create a well for the meatball, carefully carve out a 1 1/2-inch pocket in the center of each roll using a small, sharp paring knife. Ensure you don’t cut too deep, leaving enough room for the meatball.
4. Garlic Butter Coating: With a pastry brush, generously coat the insides of the wells and the tops of all the dinner rolls with the prepared garlic butter. This will infuse the rolls with rich garlic flavor.
5. Marinara Base: Spoon 1-1 1/2 tablespoons of marinara sauce into each well, making sure you save some sauce for later use. This initial layer of sauce will provide a flavorful base for your meatball.
6. Meatball Placement: Nestle one Italian-style meatball into each sauce-filled roll, ensuring they fit snugly. Top the meatballs with the remaining marinara sauce, distributing it evenly among the rolls.
7. Cheesy Finish: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the entire surface of the meatballs and rolls. This cheese duo will create a gooey, melty topping.
8. Baking: Place the prepared rolls in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is golden, melted, and slightly bubbly.
9. Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, sprinkle the hot garlic meatball bombs with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve these delightful creations while they are warm, ensuring the cheese remains wonderfully gooey.

Cook’s Tips:

• To determine the correct well size for each roll, use one of the meatballs as a guide. Hold it on top of a roll and cut around it, ensuring the well is not too large.
• You have the freedom to use your favorite marinara sauce, whether homemade or store-bought. A thicker consistency sauce is recommended for best results.
• In case fresh bakery dinner rolls are unavailable, opt for a suitable shelf-stable alternative like King’s Hawaiian butter rolls.

images source : princesspinkygirl.com