Receta Meatball Parmesan Dip
I always enjoy a nice Italian style "parmesan" dish where the meat (or veggie) is served in a marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella and parmesan and baked until the cheese is all nice and melted and good! The other day I was thinking why not make it as a dip to enjoy while watching football this weekend? I figured that meatballs would be the perfect way to go since they are already bite sized and they certainly only get better when you top them with sauce and cheese! This meatball parmesan dip is basically some simple, and tasty, homemade meatballs, in a marinara sauce topped with cheese that is baked until the cheese has melted and then it's enjoyed by scooping it up with crostini! Yum!
Meatball Parmesan Dip
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour Servings: 8
Meatball parmesan served as a dip for your snacking pleasure!
ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (and/or basil) (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
- For the dip:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
directions
For the meatballs:
Mix everything, form into 1-2 tablespoon balls and either pan fry in oil over medium-heat until browned on all sides, about 2-4 minutes per side OR roast in a preheated 350F/180C oven until lightly golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
For the dip:
Spread the marinara sauce over the bottom of one or more baking pans, top with the meatballs and cheese and bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until the cheese has melted and the sides are bubbling, about 20-25 minutes, before serving with bread or toast for dipping!
Tip: I like to brush slices of baguette with a bit of oil, bake at 450F until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes, and then rub the top with a clove of garlic to get a really nice crispy garlic scented crostini for dipping!
Option: Slow Cooker: Form the meatballs, place in the slow cooker with the marinara sauce and cook until the meatballs are cooked through, about 3-4 hours on low or 2 hours on high, before sprinkling on the cheese and cooking until it is all melted and good!
Nutrition Facts: Calories 209, Fat 8.6g (Saturated 3.9g, Trans 0), Cholesterol 82mg, Sodium 186mg, Carbs 8.5g (Fiber 1.1g, Sugars 2.2g), Protein 24.4g
Nutrition by: