Dinner rolls, melty mozzarella, juicy meatballs, and buttery garlic sauce come together in these epic Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs.
You know how sometimes you just accidentally make something way better than you planned? That’s exactly how these Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs were born. It was one of those “what do we have in the fridge” nights—frozen meatballs, leftover dinner rolls, and the last bit of marinara I couldn’t bring myself to throw out. Oh, and butter. There’s always butter in my house.
I remember tossing everything on the counter and thinking, “This is either going to be genius or totally weird.” Fast forward 30 minutes, and my kitchen smelled like a pizzeria collided with garlic bread heaven. My husband literally ate three before I could even grab a plate. That’s when I knew—these meatball bombs were staying in the rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs Recipe?
Let me guess—you’ve had meatball subs. You’ve had garlic bread. But have you ever smashed them together into bite-sized, melty bundles of joy? These little guys are what would happen if a meatball sandwich and garlic knots had a baby. Seriously.
They’re packed with flavor: tender meatballs, buttery garlic rolls, that stretchy mozzarella cheese that makes you feel like you’re in a commercial. And the kicker? A swirl of sun-dried tomato pesto in the sauce. Sounds fancy, right? It’s not. But it tastes like it.
These Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs are cozy, messy in the best way, and just a little dramatic—because honestly, food should be fun.
Ingredient Notes:
Okay, let’s break down what’s going into this magic.
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Dinner Rolls: Soft, slightly sweet rolls work best. I used Hawaiian rolls, but go with whatever you’ve got.
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Meatballs (12): Homemade? Amazing. Frozen and thawed? Also perfect. No judgment here.
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Mozzarella Cheese: Don’t skimp. You want the kind that melts into glorious cheese pulls.
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Italian Seasoning + Parsley: A little sprinkle makes it feel
fancierthan it really is. -
Garlic Butter: Butter, garlic, parmesan, and herbs. If you’re not brushing this on everything in your kitchen, what are we even doing?
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Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto + Marinara: A flavor boost that’s kind of unexpected, but totally elevates the whole thing.
How To Make Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs?
Step 1. Cook the Meatballs
If you’re using frozen meatballs (hey, I do too), warm them up according to the package. You want them hot and juicy before they go into their little bread cradles.
Step 2. Make the Garlic Butter
Melt butter in a saucepan and stir in minced garlic, parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano, and a pinch of black pepper. If your kitchen doesn’t smell amazing at this point, you’re doing it wrong.
Step 3. Mix the Sauce
Grab a bowl and mix your marinara with sun-dried tomato pesto and olive oil. That pesto adds this bold, tangy flavor that’ll make you feel like you’re eating at a trattoria. Kind of.
Step 4. Hollow Out the Rolls
Use your fingers or a spoon to scoop out the center of each dinner roll—just enough to fit a meatball. Try not to eat the scraps. Or do. I’m not your mom.
Step 5. Assemble the Bombs
Brush the inside of each roll with garlic butter. Spoon in a little sauce, nestle in a meatball, top with more sauce, and load on the mozzarella. Finish with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. If some cheese spills over the sides? Even better.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Step 6. Bake
Line up the rolls in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the tops are golden. Take a peek halfway through—just because it’s fun.
Step 7. Serve and Smile
Use a knife to separate the rolls, plate them up, and bask in the glory of your creation. They’re so good fresh out of the oven, but they’re also great reheated the next day—if you have any left.
Storage Options:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for 3 days, but honestly, good luck making them last that long. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F to bring back the crisp. Microwave works in a pinch, but you’ll lose the crunch.
Want to freeze? Assemble and freeze before baking. Wrap them up tight. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Variations and Substitutions:
Feeling creative? Here are a few fun spins:
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Swap the cheese: Try provolone, smoked gouda, or a little shredded parm for a sharper bite.
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Add heat: Mix crushed red pepper into the sauce or sprinkle some on top.
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Make it vegetarian: Use plant-based meatballs or even roasted mushrooms.
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Mini versions: Use smaller rolls and cocktail meatballs for the perfect party snack.
What to Serve with Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs?
They’re kind of a whole meal on their own, but if you want to bulk it up:
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A crisp green salad with balsamic dressing
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Roasted broccoli or green beans
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Tomato basil soup for dunking (please do this)
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Potato wedges or fries, because… balance
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use biscuit dough instead of rolls?
Totally! Just know it’ll puff up a bit more and have a slightly different texture—more fluffy, less chewy.
Can I make these ahead?
Yes! Assemble, cover, and refrigerate. Pop them in the oven when you’re ready. They’re great for parties.
Do I have to use the pesto?
Nope. It’s optional. But highly recommended for that extra something-something.
There’s something just so satisfying about food you can hold in your hand that tastes like a full-on comfort food explosion. These Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs are messy, cheesy, garlicky, and borderline addictive. They’re the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you pulled off something special, even if it came together in under an hour.
Try them once, and they might just become your go-to whenever you need to feed a crowd—or just yourself. (No judgment. I’ve eaten three in one sitting.)
Got questions? Wanna share your own twist? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you. Or tag me if you post your bomb-worthy cheese pull. Let’s bond over meatballs.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs
Ingredients
- 12 dinner rolls
- 12 meatballs cooked
- 2 c mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Cooking spray
- Optional: parsley
For the Garlic Butter:
- 1/2 c salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 c sun-dried tomato pesto
- 2 c marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Start by cooking or thawing 12 meatballs according to the instructions, on the package or make your own recipe.
- In a saucepan melt 1/2 cup of salted butter. Add 3 garlic cloves. Set this butter mixture aside.
- Next, prepare the sauce by mixing 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomato pesto, 2 cups of marinara sauce and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Set the sauce aside for now.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Take 12 dinner rolls. Carefully hollow out the part creating a space slightly larger than the meatballs.
- Using a brush generously coat each roll with the butter mixture. Then spoon a bit of sauce into each roll. Place one meatball inside.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups), Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon) and optionally some parsley on top of each roll.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
- Finally slice, between the rolls and plate them up. Savor these mouthwatering Garlic Bread Meatball Bombs!
- Enjoy your meal!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
