There was great debate as to whether or not this would become a post here on The Recipes for All Days…..the ease that is this “recipe” is ridiculous. Yet, for what little preparation and skill it requires, you will deliver a piping hot, cheesy, and meaty slice of heaven to your family. That being said, I felt obligated to share it. It’s for all of us out there who from time need something fast, satisfying and simple. For those nights when despite the numerous reminders you left yourself, you yet again forgot to thaw those chicken breasts, marinate that beef, or grab that remaining ingredient you needed from the store on the way home. Or, even more realistically, for those nights when, well, you just don’t wanna. Hence, Meatball Pizza. Cheesy Goodness; Meatball Pizza I have a new love affair with store bought dough. Now I am not referring to those pre-made crusts you just top and bake…no….I am referring to a simple ball of dough, typically encased in a very high tech container commonly referred to as a “plastic bag”. I have purchased a wonderful one from the refrigerated coolers at my local Wal-Mart for about a buck.
Trader Joe’s has a wonderful wheat dough for about the same price. To me, you can’t beat going that route. I love to bake bread and make my own dough, but let’s be real, who honestly has time for that all the time?! A pan coated lightly with olive oil and cornmeal provides that crunchy yet chewy pizzeria crust we all year for. Crunch and Chew; Meatball Pizza A jarred spaghetti sauce is what we went with here to save time. I tend to prefer using whatever tomato sauce, home-made or not, that we use for spaghetti over the “pizza sauce” found in a store. I have made this pizza using home-made meatballs as well as with frozen store bought meatballs. If you have leftover meatballs that can be used expressly for his purpose…go for it. However, I promise you, you do not sacrifice flavor using those from the store. Top with a blend of whichever cheeses you prefer on your pie; we used mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar. Throw on anything else you like…or have in the house! My littlest wanted pepperoni….but for me, next time its roasted peppers!
Cheesy Meatball Pizza Pan
Ingredients
- 1 Bag store bought pizza dough 16 oz (or home-made, or premade crust)
- 1 tbsp. cornmeal for crust
- 1/3 cup spaghetti or pizza sauce
- 1 16 oz bag frozen meatballs or home-made meatballs thawed
- 2 cups shredded cheese pizza blend and cheddar combo used here
- Any other toppings desired!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees..
- If using store bought pizza dough or your own, place dough onto lightly floured surface.
- If using round pizza pan or stone, roll out dough to a slightly larger diameter than your pan size.
- I used an 11 x 17 rectangle pan here for a thinner crust..you can do the same.
- Lightly coat the pan with a drizzle of oil or non-stick spray, spread over the pan's surface evenly.
- Sprinkle the pan with the cornmeal and juggle the pan around so it coats the bottom.
- Place and stretch the dough onto your pan, pinching the crust around the edges.
- Gently poke some holes into the dough with a fork to prevent large air bubbles from forming.
- Top with sauce and spread almost to the edges.
- Place thawed meatballs.
- Top with cheese and any other toppings you desire.
- Bake at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes..this really can vary on oven and what you are baking the pizza on. Watch for golden brown crust and for the cheese to be thoroughly melted.
