Golden-brown mini pizza dough calzones are stuffed with tender meatballs, marinara and cheese. These are a perfect lunch, appetizer, or game day snack!
This post is sponsored by The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA). All opinions are my own. For more inspiration, be sure to check out delicious ideas from NFRA at EasyHomeMeals.com #FrozenFoods #EasyHomeMeals
If you are looking for a tasty meal that is super easy for the family, I have the perfect suggestion! How about mini calzones!? These Muffin Tin Cheesy Meatball Calzones are a reliable meal idea that your family will be sure to love as much as mine! This kid-friendly, fuss-free meal is easy to make as well! They feature frozen meatballs from Rao’s Homemade® that provide authentic flavor without the fuss! Plus, the sauce is included with the meatballs!
My kids are so picky, but the microscopic list of their approved foods include pizza dough, meatballs, cheese, and marinara. That is why I try to incorporate meatballs into various dishes each week as a dinner or lunch option for them! They could honestly eat proteins like meatballs everyday so I have gotten creative as of lately.
Best Frozen Meatballs
Not all frozen meatballs are created equally. I am a meatball snob and really do not care for many brands out there. However, I do enjoy Rao’s® Meatballs & Sauce. These meatballs have a super-premium flavor that could pass as homemade. They contain no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors helping to make every day delicious!
Personally, I love the size of these meatballs, the texture, flavor, and their adaptability when it comes to recipes like these calzones. They have an Italian flavor and cook in an ample amount of Rao’s® sauce. You can use them for pasta dishes, pizzas, calzones, in subs, and more!
How to Make Cheesy Meatball Calzones
Prepare meatballs according to the package instructions.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray.
To assemble calzones, divide pizza dough into 12 pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 6″ inch circle.
Place one meatball in the center of each dough circle and top with 2 tablespoons marinara sauce and 1 cheese cube.
Fold dough over meatball filling to form a half-moon shape and press edges together to seal.
Place calzones in prepared muffin tin. Brush calzones with melted butter and sprinkle with herbs.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until calzones are golden brown.
Serve warm with extra marinara sauce.
Storing
To store these meatball calzones, allow them to fully cool! Store them in an airtight container with enough depth so they do not get squished. They will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. To crisp them up again, I recommend reheating them in the air fryer or oven for 5-6 minutes at 375 degrees F.
You can also freeze these using a food preserver, or wrapped individually in plastic wrap and then stored in a freezer-safe airtight bag or container for up to 3 months.
More Kid-Friendly Recipes to Try
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Ranch Grilled Chicken Wraps
- Chili Mac & Cheese
- French Onion Ground Beef Casserole
- Corn Chip Pie Casserole
Visit Easy Home Meals for great recipes, meal solutions and cooking tips & tricks. #FrozenFoods #EasyHomeMeals
Muffin Tin Cheesy Meatball Calzones
Equipment
- Oven adjusted to center rack position
- muffin tin
- Spoon
- rolling pin
Ingredients
- 12 Rao’s® Meatballs & Sauce prepared according to package
- ½ cup Rao’s® Sauce *from meatballs
- 1 cup cheese *use your favorite cubed cheese
- 2 lbs. pizza dough
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ teaspoon Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare meatballs according to the package instructions.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray.
- To assemble calzones, divide pizza dough into 12 pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 6" inch circle.
- Place one meatball in the center of each dough circle and top with 2 tablespoons marinara sauce and 1 cheese cube.
- Fold dough over meatball filling to form a half-moon shape and press edges together to seal.
- Place calzones in prepared muffin tin. Brush calzones with melted butter and sprinkle with herbs, and spice.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until calzones are golden brown.
- Serve warm with extra marinara sauce.
These are so fun! My kids gobbled them all down and they loved dipping in pizza sauce
Great appetizers for a Game Day. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoyed these with dinner last night and they did not disappoint! Easy, hearty and delicious; the perfect comfort food!
My kids are so picky too and it’s not from lack of trying! I feel like their acceptable food list changes daily, but I bet they will love these muffin tin calzones. They’re perfect for our family fun night!
These are perfect for lunch, a snack or game day! They come together so easily with this fabulous Rao’s sauce and meatballs. Can’t wait to make them.