One pan meals are perfect for busy nights. Try making cheesy meatball skillet for a quick dinner with a delicious homemade sauce.
Jump to RecipeWhenever we have spaghetti and meatballs, Ryan only wants the meatballs. Knowing that, I decided to try something new with the meatballs to make it into more of a meal for Ryan (and the rest of us).
Also, you know I love easy one-pan meals, so wanted this entire thing to be done in the skillet. I used my cast iron, but you can use any non-stick skillet.
Honestly, the best part of this was the sauce. Justin raved about the sauce and said he only wants me to make a red sauce like this from now on. It was so easy, and the ingredients were simple, but it was full of flavor.
If you like a bit more heat to yours, you can add more red pepper flakes. I wanted to keep it mild for the boys (ok, and for me, too). But you do need just a bit to get that great taste in the sauce.
Cheesy Meatball Skillet Step by Step
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen meatballs, homestyle
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces
Preparation
Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the meatballs, cooking until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
Remove the meatballs from the skillet, lower the heat to medium-low, and add the oil and minced garlic.
Cook for about 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and just starts to brown.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes, stirring to combine.
Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes.
Uncover the pan and add the chunks of mozzarella cheese.
Cover and cook again until the cheese is melty, about 2-3 minutes.
Garnish with parsley if desired.
Leftovers
The cheesy meatball skillet leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will stay good for up to 3 days. To reheat, I suggest warming it up in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until everything is warmed through.
Recipe
Originally Published On: December 27, 2021
Cheesy Meatball Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen meatballs (homestyle)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella (torn into pieces)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the meatballs, cooking until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes
- Remove the meatballs from the skillet, lower the heat to medium-low, and add the oil and minced garlic
- Cook for about 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and just starts to brown
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes, stirring to combine
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes
- Uncover the pan and add the chunks of mozzarella cheese
- Cover and cook again until the cheese is melty, about 2-3 minutes
- Garnish with parsley if desired
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Cheesy Meatball Skillet FAQs
That will depend on the meatballs you get. Make sure to check ingredients as some contain bread crumbs.
I like to buy frozen homestyle meatballs.
Other Mozzarella Recipes
- Super Easy Homemade Fried Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
- Fresh Mozzarella-Topped (Not So) Flatbread
- Crispy Fried Mozzarella Cakes Recipe with Fresh Cheese
- Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatloaf
- Super Easy Pizza Dip
- Cheesy Meatball Skillet
- Homemade Pizza Burgers: The Best Combo of Two Recipes
- Five Cheese Pull-Apart Bread
- Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Bake Casserole
- Thai Basil Pesto Flatbread
- Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Super Easy Pizza Flatbread
- Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Shells
- Fresh Caprese Salad
- Spinach and Artichoke Quesadillas
- Easy Chicken Parmesan
- Kreacher’s French Onion Soup
- Hearty Sausage and Kale Pesto Pizza
- Classic Stuffed Shells
- Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels Recipe
- Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese
- Baked Ziti
- BBQ Chicken Melt with Only 5 Ingredients
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Stromboli
- Cheesy Baked Crab Casserole
- Pizza Hot Pocket
- Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Stromboli Ring
- Hawaiian Chicken Wraps
- Cheesy Caper-Stuffed Tomatoes
This looks fantastic. My toddler is very picky about eating meat but he absolutely loves anything with cheese. I think I’ll store this one away in our growing recipe book and give it a trial run next month.
This looks soooooo delicious…I can’t wait to make your recipe, so good!!!
We love spaghetti and meatballs! It’s such a delicious and easy meal to make. I like the idea of adding fresh mozzarella to change up the dish.
That skillet looks delicious, I need to make this recipe for the family soon
Oh my goodness, who wouldn’t love this in my house! This meatball dish would be a huge home run hit for my family.
Oh these look so good! My two favourite things – meatballs and cheese . Yum!
This looks good .. I am going to try this my vegan meatballs and cheese. This makes life alot easier.
This looks so delicious. I like the prep time also. But I need to make and freeze meat balls first. Maybe you have a recipe for that also?
We used to cook meatballs like this a lot, but you recipe is next level!! Would totally wanna try it out. It will taste amazing for sure!
Oh this would be such a hit with my kids! They love meatballs!
Cheesy Meatball Skillet looks so fantastic! I have to try it on weekends. Sounds so yummy! Can’t wait!
I may say that this meatball recipe will be instantly added to my favorite. It definitely looks so delicious and tasty. The creaminess of the sauce makes it more enticing, loved it!
This looks like the yummiest comfort food. You can’t go wrong with meatballs and cheese.
This was a huge hit at my house! Can’t wait to make it again!!
This is my favorite! I always order this in a restaurant but now I can make it at home.
MAking these cheesy meatballs at home is happiness. I cannot wait for my kids to try it
Omgoodness…this looks so delicious. I am Italian and I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thank you!
That cheesy meatball is quite looking delicious! My kids would definitely enjoy this recipe!
Um. Stop it. This is AMAZING!! It’s so simple yet hearty. I’m definitely making this as my husband would love it. And now I’m craving cheese and tomato sauce before 9am. Ha!
This is right up
My sisters alley. I will pass it along to her as she likes this type of recipe
The cheesy meatball skillet looks too delicious 💓