Meatball #SundaySupper...Featuring Cheesy Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Meatballs

This week, the #SundaySupper crew is featuring meatballs. Our hostess Sue from Palatable Pastime challenged us to come up with fun and tasty meatball recipes. Let's face it: meatballs are just plain fun -- and they're also incredibly versatile. I combined two of my favorite foods to make my Cheesy Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Meatballs. Flavorful Italian-inspired meatballs are stuffed with a slice of zesty pepperoni and a ball of fresh mozzarella. Then, they're baked and topped with a chunky tomato sauce.

These meatballs can be enjoyed as a fun appetizer or first course, but I also enjoy them served over tri-color orzo for a fun dinner. Anyone who loves pepperoni pizza is guaranteed to go crazy for these meatballs -- and everyone enjoys the surprise of melty cheese inside when the cut into these meatballs. Let me show you how simple these meatballs are to make!

Cheesy Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Meatballs

a Weekend Gourmet Original

Ingredients (makes 9 meatballs):

• 1 lb. 85% lean ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated
• 1/4 cup finely chopped purple onion
• 2 tbs. chopped basil
• 1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 9 slices pepperoni
• 9 bocconcini (bite-size rounds of fresh mozzarella)
• 1 tbs. olive oil
• 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
• 1.5 cups spaghetti sauce
• Additional parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375. Add the ground beef, egg, panko, parmesan, garlic, purple onion, basil, salt & pepper, and Worcestershire in a large mixing bowl. Using pristinely clean hands, incorporate the ingredients until just combined. Don't overwork the ingredients, or your meatballs will be tough.

Step 2: Divide the meatball mixture into nine equal portions. Flatten each piece into a thin patty. Place a slice of pepperoni in the center of each patty, then top with a fresh mozzarella ball. Enclose the pepperoni and mozzarella with the meatball patty, and roll into a meatball. Add the olive oil the bottom and sides of an 8x8 baking pan. Arrange the meatballs in the pan in three rows of three meatballs.

Step 3: Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes, until they are browned and baked through. While the meatballs bake, combine the petite diced tomatoes and spaghetti sauce in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes, until warmed through. If serving as a main dish, this is a good time to cook a pot of orzo pasta or creamy polenta to go with the meatballs. When the meatballs are baked, arrange them on a platter and spoon the chunky tomato sauce over the top. Sprinkle with additional parmesan and serve.

These pizza-inspired meatballs are fun -- and delicious -- to eat! The meatballs are tender and juicy, with lots of great flavor from the basil, garlic, and onion. The center of each meatball features spicy pepperoni and melty mozzarella. The next time you're planning Pizza Night at your house, why not whip up a batch of these whimsical pizza-stuffed meatballs instead? I think they'd be great served on slider buns for a tasty sandwich too!

Just wait and see all of the other creative meatballs that this week's #SundaySupper participants are sharing! We've got everything from traditional meatballs to upscale gourmet delights...and everything in between. You're sure to find lots of great meatball recipes to add to your recipe box.

Meatball Appetizers:

• Bacon Wrapped Cheesy Meatballs with Maple Balsamic Sauce from The Crumby Cupcake
• Cheesy Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Meatballs from The Weekend Gourmet
• Crab Cake Mini Meatballs with Tartar Sauce from The Texan New Yorker
• Garlicky Shrimp Meatballs from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Grilled Korean Meatballs from Palatable Pastime
• Saucy Thai Meatballs from Brunch-n-Bites
• Slow Cooker Turkey Appetizer Jelly Meatballs from Noshing With The Nolands
• Stuffed Meatballs from The Freshman Cook
• Tofu Nuggets from NinjaBaker
• Turkey Meatballs in Orange Sauce from Pine Needles In My Salad
• Turkey Meatballs with Spinach and Goat Cheese from Our Good Life

Meatball Soups:

• Russian Meatball Soup from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

Main Dish Meatballs:

• All-Purpose Meatballs from Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Baked Meatballs with Swiss Chard from And She Cooks
• Bourbon Baked Bean Meatballs from Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Cheesy Italian Meatball Sandwich from La Bella Vita Cucina
• Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole from Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
• Deep Dish Skillet Meatball Pizza from From Gate to Plate
• Fightin’ Irish Balls from Monica’s Table
• General Tso’s Chicken Meatballs from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Grandma’s Italian Meatball Subs from Family Around The Table
• Hamballs from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Kefta Mkaouara (Moroccan Meatballs Tagine) from Curious Cuisiniere
• Keftedakia (Greek-style Meatballs) from Tramplingrose
• Kofte-Style Lamb Meatballs in a Tomato-Pepper Sauce from Caroline’s Cooking
• Meatball Subs from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Moroccan Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce from MyGourmetConnection
• Orecchiette and Meatball Skillet Dinner from Momma’s Meals
• Persian Lamb Meatballs from Food Lust People Love
• Portuguese Meatballs in Garlicky Wine Sauce from Family Foodie
• Roasted Vegetable Meatballs from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Slow Cooker Meatball Ranch Stroganoff from Seduction in the Kitchen
• Slow Cooker Spanish Meatballs from The Chef Next Door
• Sriracha Sesame Turkey Meatballs from Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Sun Dried Tomato & Bulgarian Feta Chicken Meatballs over Lemon-Spinach Orzo From Simply Healthy Family
• Swedish Meatballs (Frikadeller) from Feeding Big 
• Swedish Meatballs with Zucchini Ribbons from Angels Home Sweet Homestead
• Sweet & Sour Freezer to Slow-Cooker Meatballs from Wholistic Woman
• Tajine-el-Khoukh (Algerian Stuffed Peaches) from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Thai Meatball Lettuce Wraps from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Thai Spaghetti and Meatballs from Kitchen Gidget
• Thai Red Curry Meatballs with Coconut Curry Sauce from kimchi MOM
• Ultimate Pasta & Meatballs from MealDiva

Meatball Desserts:

• Brownie Meatballs with Frosting Spaghetti from Pies and Plots

Plus Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and More Amazing Meatball Recipes  from Sunday Supper Movement

Be sure to join our lively #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter today! We tweet throughout the day, and we share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets, to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, be sure to visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement