Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza Balls

 

These delicious Pizza Balls are perfect for game day! Deliciously addictive.... trust me... we know... they were supposed to be a little nosh (like that word? ... from my New York roots).. and they ended up the main event... not a bad thing for sure!

TIPS

You can make as few or as many as you like... so these are great for any party or for watching the big game...  just adjust the baking dish to how ever many you are making... baking times will remain the same.

I tried to put a little tomato sauce in the middle to add even more flavor... it didn't work well... actually it ended up baking fine.. but not worth the effort... because as you stretch the flattened biscuit dough to form the ball... the tomato sauce spreads and the dough doesn't want to cinch closed... and I didn't use much sauce at all... so I wouldn't recommend it... try it if you like.. but it will frustrate you.

I listed the cheese as cut into cubes... little cubes... they were more like rectangles.... I didn't actually measure them but mine were about 1/2 inch  by 3/4 inch .. maybe a tad smaller...

A while back I tried making these with shredded cheese instead of cubes... they just weren't as good and more work... with the cheese cube.. you get a nice bit of cheese inside... very yummy!

Serve this with tomato sauce on the side... just delicious!

Recipe:  Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza Balls

All you need:

2 cans Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (10 count size)

Sliced Pepperoni

Block Mozzarella, cut into cubes

Olive oil cooking oil spray

Garlic Powder

Coarse Kosher salt

Italian seasoning

Grated Parmesan cheese

Tomato sauce

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Spray an 8 inch glass baking dish with olive oil cooking oil spray.

Open the canned biscuits and separate them.. then flatten them using a rolling pin.

Place 2 slices pepperoni and a cheese cube on the flatten biscuit... then pull the sides up to the middle and cinch... I picked mine up and rolled it slightly with my hands.  Place them, seam side down in the prepared baking dish.

Repeat until you have made all 20 balls and placed them in the baking dish.  Then lightly spray them with the olive oil cooking oil spray.  Sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian seasonings and coarse Kosher salt, then grated Parmesan cheese.  Give them another quick spray with the cooking oil spray.

Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from the oven... then using a large spatula run the spatula around the sides of the baking dish and underneath them so loosen any that may have stuck slightly.  Then using the spatula lift and slide them onto a cutting board or plate.  Use a sharp knife to separate them (it will only take a quick cut.. they should separate easily).

Serve with tomato sauce.

 

Flatten the biscuit dough using a rolling pin

 

Lay two slices pepperoni and a cheese cube on top of the biscuit dough

 

Pull up the sides of the biscuit dough to the middle

 

Cinch the dough to close and then roll in your hands

 

Place the dough seam side down in a prepared baking dish then give them a quick spray of cooking oil spray... sprinlkle with garlic powder, Italian seasonings, coarse Kosher salt and parmesan cheese... another quick spray of cooking oil spray and pop them in the oven at 425 degrees F... for 18-20 minutes until golden brown...

 

 

Easy Crock Pot Recipes Perfect for Super Bowl Sunday

I love my crockpot... it is truly a best friend... reliable... helpful... it makes my life infinitely easier ... especially when entertaining.

So what better way to help prepare foods for a Super Bowl party than using a crockpot. Easy to prepare.. easy to serve and keep warm.

It allows you to spend minimal time in the kitchen... easy clean up ... and you get to enjoy the game as much as your guests!

There are so many options... here are 3 great menu options using a crockpot.  

Plan your other menu items around your main food that's made in a crockpot... now how easy is that?...

Well, read on and you will see... just click the links for the recipes.
.

Chili.... Tostitos .... Cornbread......... another completely "prepare ahead meal".... for a beefier Chili... try Chuck Wagon Chili.... always a favorite!

Baked Ziti .... Meatballs.... Green Salad .... Fresh bread or Garlic Bread... a delicious meal you can prepare ahead.... make the Baked Ziti meatless for those who don't care for meat...and have a side of meatballs... problem solved! 

Note:  Make the meatballs in the oven.. no need to stand there frying them... no fatty grease... just great taste.. click the link for the recipe.

Make these yummy Easy Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks with it...

How about BBQ Sandwiches?... BBQ Sandwiches.... Coleslaw.... Oven Fries... quick.. easy.. and delicious!

You can make this with Beef, Chicken or Pork... and this meal will easily go with any number of finger foods and snacks.

Make the coleslaw ahead with this fabulous recipe.... the best Coleslaw ...ever!

Serve it with other homemade salads.... make it easy for people to bring a bowl of their favorite salad to share.

Great Last Minute Snack Ideas for Watching the Game!

 

Having a last minute get-together for the Super Bowl?  Consider these easy-to-make snacks!

Bacon Wrapped Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives Horseradish Dip ... takes minutes to prepare.. and will always be a hit with your guests

Bacon Cheeseburger Bites

Mini Loaded Potato Empanadas

Bacon Mac n Cheese Bites









Smokies in a Blanket

Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels










Sausage Cheddar Balls









Garlic and Herb Cheese Bundles

Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza Balls










Crab Stuffed Mushrooms





And don't forget dips.. they're great menu and budget stretchers.. and everybody loves them!

Corned Beef Bread Dip

Chili Cheese Dip









Spinach and Artichoke Dip









Onion Dip

Great Salads to Tote to a Super Bowl Party

Have to bring something to a Super Bowl party?.... Bring a salad!... Everyone loves a good salad... it goes with just about everything...easy to make... easy to make ahead... easy to tote.... what could be better?

Consider one of these great salads...



















Egg Potato Salad - Always fit for a party.. this classic is sure to please












Classic Potato Salad - a true classic!

More terrific Potato Salads...

New York Deli Style Potato Salad

Potato Salad with Sweet Pickle Relish

German Potato Salad  - potatoes and bacon... what's not to love? .. a light  vinegar sauce.. great for those not fond of mayo...

Classic Macaroni Salad - Macaroni salad can be made a million ways... let's just say I never met a Macaroni Salad I didn't like












Coleslaw - Another classic salad... wonderful with BBQ meats, fried chicken and sandwiches alike












New York Deli Style Cucumber Salad - Quick, easy and delicious!

Italian Salads always are welcome at BBQs and parties...











Salami and Provolone Pasta Salad - This quick and easy recipe combines Pasta, Genoa Salami and Provolone... add some cherry tomatoes and black olives .. toss with your favorite Italian dressing and you have one delicious salad. You can even use a non-fat dressing to cut the fat and calories.

More Pasta Salads...

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

Simple Pasta Salad



Italian Rice Salad - a little spin on a pasta salad... for a change...use rice instead




Tomato and Mozzarella Salad - You don't always need pasta, potatoes or rice for a really good salad... and this is one of those.. just a wonderful blend of flavors

Super Bowl Party Ideas... Make it Italian!

Planning on watching the Super Bowl with friends and family this year? It's time to be thinking about foods to serve... after all... that's about as important as the big game itself....

Make it Italian!

So here are some Italian Themed ideas….

Pizza… is an obvious choice… but buying pizza can get expensive… and most pizza places are overwhelmed with orders for that day… can you be sure it will be ready when you want it? Making your own pizza is easy… whether you use pre-made dough you purchase or make your own... it's economical and easy..
Make it interesting... try different varieties.. like our Chicken Parm Pizza

You can even save money on Pizza Sauce... I have a quick and easy recipe that takes minutes to prepare...it also makes a great dipping sauce for the oven Fried Ravioli and the Mini Calzones.

Things to think about.... make sure you have enough for your party guests… if you can only fit one pizza at a time in your oven… then you might have to re-think your plans…

Things to consider.... how many guests you have and how many slices are coming out of the oven at one time…

Options.... you could make a large rectangle pizza and cut it into squares… it feeds a lot of people and you will have other foods for them to eat… you can prepare two… and when one comes out… put the other in… or you can include other foods as well...

Here are other ideas to consider.....



Stromboli…. is a perfect choice…. you can prepare one or more ahead… slice it and serve at room temperature… you can vary the ingredients between the different Strombolis.





Fried Ravioli…. These can be made ahead and frozen…. then re-heated in the oven… again you will need the use of an oven… you could use a toaster oven… but I would lower the temperature and use a lower rack in the toaster oven …. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-cooking and incinerating them ( I did that with a batch on New Year’s Eve… luckily I had more in the freezer).




Quick and Easy Salami and Provolone Pasta Salad… a perfect choice too… can be totally made ahead … is pretty versatile and goes really with most other menu choices.





Mini Calzones….. these can be assembled quite a bit ahead…. then baked ahead also….say an hour or so ahead…. they can be warm or room temperature… keep in mind this will require oven time…. so do a timetable to ensure everything goes smoothly. Serve with tomato sauce they can ladle on their plates.





Antipasto Salad…. another food item that can be totally assembled ahead…. make a large platter, put out tongs and let your guest take a serving….





Italian Meatballs…. make them ahead…. I mean really ahead… a week ahead… freeze them fully cooked… then defrost them and put them in a crock pot with Italian tomato (spaghetti) sauce and you’re done…. and no other work is required….party perfect!.....I have the perfect recipe….I’d make them a bit smaller than usual…. If you do make them smaller … remember to cut back on the baking time (my recipe doesn’t fry them … instead you bake them in the oven).






Garlic Bread... always a winner.. and so easy to prepare!







Baked Ziti…. If you want to serve something substantial… this dish can fit the bill…. It’s easy to serve can be assembled ahead and baked…. goes well with Antipasto Salad… Garlic Bread… Breadsticks… Meatballs…. Stromboli… Fried Ravioli…. Just an all around terrific choice if you want something hearty… and not expensive to make.




Italian Mini Subs…. You can purchase sub rolls… and make subs in advance and cut them in half…. I sometimes use small sized sub rolls... my local grocery store calls them Vienna Rolls... found in the bakery department... make a platter and you’re good to go….  or just keep them as regular sized subs... either way they go well with other finger foods…

Meatball Parmigiana Subs are always popular... make up a batch of meatballs ahead... heat them in the crockpot ... cut the rolls ahead... just before serving line 'em up on a baking sheet... fill them.. sprinkle with cheese... pop them in the oven... you can do as many as you can fit on a baking sheet all at once... a perfect time saver!




Desserts… as with the Mexican themed party… my advice is the same… you need them… but keep it pretty simple… Brownies or other bar cookie…. cupcakes are always fun... decorate them with a football theme...




I hope this helps you start thinking about your menu plans…

Ciao!