Cheesy meatball skillet garnished with parsley in a cast-iron skillet with a brown and white towel all on a dark wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Cheesy Meatball Skillet

One pan meals are perfect for busy nights. Try making cheesy meatball skillet for a quick dinner with a delicious homemade sauce.

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Whenever 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
Ingredients for cheesy meatball skillet in stainless steel bowls on a dark wooden surface

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.

Meatballs browning in a cast-iron skillet on a dark wooden surface

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.

Minced garlic in olive oil in a cast-iron skillet on a dark wood surface

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes, stirring to combine.

Crushed tomatoes with red pepper and garlic in a cast-iron skillet on a dark wooden surface

Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes.

Red sauce with meatballs in a cast-iron skillet on a dark wooden surface

Uncover the pan and add the chunks of mozzarella cheese.

Red sauce with meatballs and mozzarella cheese in a cast-iron skillet on a dark wooden surface

Cover and cook again until the cheese is melty, about 2-3 minutes.

Garnish with parsley if desired.

Cheesy meatball skillet garnished with parsley in a cast-iron skillet with a brown and white towel all on a dark wooden surface (vertical)

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 garnished with parsley in a cast-iron skillet with a brown and white towel all on a dark wooden surface

Cheesy Meatball Skillet

One pan meals are perfect for busy nights. Try making cheesy meatball skillet for a quick dinner with a delicious homemade sauce.
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course:
Appetizer
|
Main Dish
Cuisine:
American
Diet
Gluten Free
Keyword:
cheese
|
crushed tomatoes
|
meatballs
|
mozzarella
|
one pan
|
red sauce
|
skillet meal
|
tomato sauce
Dietary Needs:
Egg-Free
|
Gluten-Free
|
Nut-Free
Meat:
Beef
Cooking Method:
One-Pan Meals
Servings: 4
5 from 11 votes

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
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Nutrition Facts
Cheesy Meatball Skillet
Amount Per Serving (8 meatballs + sauce)
Calories 438 Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 11g55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 14g
Cholesterol 93mg31%
Sodium 422mg18%
Potassium 933mg27%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 678IU14%
Vitamin C 20mg24%
Calcium 158mg16%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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

Is this gluten-free?

That will depend on the meatballs you get. Make sure to check ingredients as some contain bread crumbs.

What meatballs work the best?

I like to buy frozen homestyle meatballs.

21 thoughts on “Cheesy Meatball Skillet”

  1. 5 stars
    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.

  2. 5 stars
    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.

  3. Predrag Kovačević

    5 stars
    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?

  4. 5 stars
    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!

  5. 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!

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