Meatball Grilled Cheese Recipe

Updated on August 21st, 2025

This meatball grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food, combining the gooey goodness of melted mozzarella with the rich flavor of Italian-style meatballs and pasta sauce. The homemade meatballs are seasoned with herbs, garlic, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan, then baked until tender before being simmered in your favorite pasta sauce. The sandwich is layered with plenty of cheese and golden-grilled bread, creating a crispy exterior that gives way to a cheesy, savory center. Served warm, it’s hearty enough for dinner but just as good for a satisfying lunch.

Why this recipe works

• Flavor-packed meatballs: A mix of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs gives the meatballs a savory depth that pairs perfectly with pasta sauce and cheese.
• Cheesy and indulgent: Using mozzarella in both layers of the sandwich ensures every bite has plenty of melty, stretchy cheese.
• Crispy, golden bread: Cooking the sandwiches slowly over medium-low heat lets the bread toast evenly while the cheese melts inside.
• Easy to customize: You can swap the pasta sauce for marinara, add extra herbs, or use a different bread to make it your own.

Serving suggestions

• Classic pairing: Serve with a side of extra pasta sauce for dipping to enhance the rich, tomato flavor.
• Add a fresh side: A crisp green salad or a side of roasted vegetables helps balance the richness of the sandwich.
• Bread options: French bread creates a sturdy, crispy crust, but sourdough or ciabatta are also delicious choices.
• For a crowd: Use a griddle to make several sandwiches at once, making this recipe perfect for casual gatherings or family dinners.

Meatball Grilled Cheese Recipe

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Enjoy a meatball grilled cheese packed with juicy Italian meatballs, tangy pasta sauce, and gooey mozzarella on crispy, buttery bread.

• Author: Bobby
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs-

• 1lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Other-

• 2 cups pasta sauce
• 8 slices French bread
• 8 slices Mozzarella cheese
• butter (for spreading)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl combine ground beef, egg, milk, breadcrumbs, salt, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, black pepper, and parmesan cheese. Mix well using your hands. Form the mixture into meatballs that are about the size of a golf ball. Place onto a lightly greased baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
2. Place into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until fully cooked (the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F. Remove from the oven. Slice the meatballs in half.
3. Pour the pasta sauce into a medium saucepan, add the sliced meatballs and cook over medium-high heat until the sauce has become warm.
4. Spread butter onto one side of each slice of bread. Top each bread slice with 1 slice of mozzarella cheese and some of the slice meatballs, cut side down. Top the meatballs with another slice of mozzarella cheese. Top with the remaining bread slice.
5. Heat a large skillet to medium-low heat. Place sandwiches into the skillet butter side down. Spread butter on the top of each sandwich. Cook over medium-low heat for about 6-8 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown. Turn the sandwiches and cook for 5-6 minutes longer or golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Nutrition

• Serving Size:
• Calories: 852
• Sugar: 13.9 g
• Sodium: 3295.2 mg
• Fat: 14.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 65.7 g
• Protein: 112.8 g
• Cholesterol: 173.8 mg