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These stuffed turkey pizza meatballs with pepperoni and mozzarella are such a fun twist on classic meatballs! They’re tender and flavorful on the inside, filled with mozzarella and pepperoni, then rolled in panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate crunch. They have all the flavors of pizza in one delicious meatball, and they’re so easy to make. Serve them with warm marinara sauce for an easy weeknight dinner, appetizer, or game-day snack!
Pizza is one of mine and Ella’s favorite foods, so when I created this recipe, I knew I had to make them extra special. The combination of the crispy coating, savory pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella in the center makes these so much fun to make and eat. They were so good that LiveNOW featured us making them for their game day segment, and we knew we had to bring the recipe to Healthy Foodie Girl because you needed to try them!
And if you love meatballs, be sure to try our healthy chicken parmesan meatballs, cottage cheese turkey meatballs, turkey pesto meatballs, air fryer Italian turkey meatballs, and turkey stuffing meatballs next!
Table of Contents
- 🔎 Quick Look: Stuffed Turkey Pizza Meatballs
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Stuffed Turkey Pizza Meatballs with Pepperoni
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Instructions
- Pizza Meatballs FAQs
- More Pizza-Themed Recipes to Try!
- Stuffed Turkey Pizza Meatballs with Pepperoni Recipe
🔎 Quick Look: Stuffed Turkey Pizza Meatballs
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 25 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 40 minutes
- 🍽 Calories: ~242 kcal per serving
- 👥 Servings: 6 servings, each serving is 2 meatballs
- 💙 WW: 4 points per serving
- 🥣 Key Ingredients: Ground turkey, pepperoni, egg, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, mozzarella string cheese, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce
- 📖 Dietary Information: High-protein
- 👩🍳 Cook Method: Baked
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Tastes Like Pizza: The crispy breadcrumb coating, chopped pepperoni, and melty mozzarella cheese give every bite that classic pizza flavor.
- Gooey, Cheesy Center: The mozzarella melts inside as they bake, so you get that satisfying cheese pull with every meatball
- Perfect for Dipping: Warm marinara sauce on the side makes these perfect for dipping, snacking, or serving as an appetizer
- Packed with Protein: These meatballs are made with lean ground turkey for a lighter, protein-packed take on pizza night.
- Easy to Customize: Swap in ground beef or ground chicken if you prefer, without losing any of the flavor.
Key Ingredients
- Ground Turkey: Lean ground turkey forms the base of these pizza meatballs.
- Pepperoni: Roughly chopped and mixed right into the meat for pizza flavor in every bite. Turkey pepperoni is a great lighter option if you want to cut back on some of the fat while still getting that classic pepperoni flavor.
- Mozzarella String Cheese: The secret to that gooey, melty center. Cutting it into pieces makes stuffing the meatballs quick and easy. For another recipe with string cheese, try our 2-ingredient dough pull-apart bread.
- Egg: Helps bind the turkey meatballs together.
- Breadcrumbs: Used both in the meatball mixture and the outer coating for a crispy, crunchy coating.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds flavor to the meatball mixture and breading.
- Seasonings: A blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder for a classic pizza-flavor seasoning blend.
- Marinara Sauce: Warmed and served on the side for dipping.
Find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
I’ve tested this recipe with different meats, pepperoni, cheeses, and breadcrumbs to make sure these substitutions work well. Here’s what I recommend:
- Meat: Lean ground turkey, ground chicken, and lean ground beef all work beautifully. They’re all delicious, so this really comes down to personal preference.
- Pepperoni: Regular and turkey pepperoni both work great. This is simply a matter of preference, so use whichever you like.
- Cheese: Both regular and light mozzarella string cheese work great. String cheese is my favorite because it’s easy to cut into pieces and tuck inside the meatballs.
- String Cheese Swap: If you don’t have string cheese, you can use low-moisture mozzarella cut into small pieces for stuffing the meatballs. Shredded mozzarella works, too. Or, skip the stuffing altogether and sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the meatballs during the last 5 minutes of baking for a melty, cheesy topping.
- Breadcrumbs: Regular breadcrumbs and panko both work well. I personally prefer the little bit of extra crunch from panko, but either works, so use whatever you have on hand.
How to Make Stuffed Turkey Pizza Meatballs with Pepperoni
- Cut each mozzarella string cheese stick into 4 equal pieces, giving you 12 pieces total. Set aside.
- Roughly chop the pepperoni so it gets evenly distributed throughout the meatballs. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped pepperoni, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions. Flatten each portion in your hand, place one piece of mozzarella in the center, and carefully form the meat around the cheese, completely sealing it inside. Roll into a ball.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Roll each meatball in the panko mixture, gently pressing the crumbs onto the outside so they stick.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the turkey reaches 165°F in the center.
- Warm the marinara sauce and serve the pizza meatballs alongside for dipping. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Expert Tips
- Chop the Pepperoni: Roughly chopping the pepperoni helps distribute it evenly throughout the meat instead of having larger pieces clump together.
- Seal the Cheese Completely: Make sure the meat completely covers the mozzarella with no gaps. This helps prevent the cheese from leaking out while the meatballs bake.
- Don’t Over-mix the Meat: Mix the ingredients just until combined. Over-mixing can make the meatballs dense instead of tender.
- Press the Coating: Gently press the panko mixture onto the meatballs so it sticks and creates an even, crispy coating.
- Spray with Olive Oil Before Baking: A light spray of olive oil over the meatballs helps the panko turn golden and crispy in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
These pizza meatballs are perfect as an appetizer or a main dish. Serve them with warm marinara on the side for dipping. Use your favorite store-bought sauce, or try them with our homemade marinara sauce, roasted tomato sauce, or slow cooker tomato sauce. For another delicious option, serve them with our homemade healthy pesto for dipping.
They’re also great for game day or gatherings! Add them to your spread alongside healthy buffalo chicken dip, dill pickle dip with Greek yogurt, and a vegetable charcuterie board.
For an easy dinner, turn them into a meatball sub with extra marinara and melted cheese. You can also serve them over pasta, spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles for a delicious meal.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover pizza meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave, but the coating won’t stay as crispy. For the best texture, reheat them in the air fryer or oven until warmed through and crispy.
Pizza Meatballs FAQs
Can I use mozzarella cheese in meatballs?
Yes, you can use mozzarella in meatballs. For these pizza meatballs, mozzarella string cheese is cut into small pieces and stuffed inside the meatballs.
Can I freeze pizza meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze pizza meatballs! Place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 1-2 months.
More Pizza-Themed Recipes to Try!
Cottage Cheese
Cottage Cheese Pizza Crust
Mains
Protein Pizza Recipe
Cottage Cheese
Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
Mains
Pizza Toast
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
Stuffed Turkey Pizza Meatballs with Pepperoni
Ingredients
For the Pizza Meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 2 oz turkey pepperoni or regular pepperoni, roughly chopped
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3 pieces of light mozzarella string cheese, cut into 4 pieces each
For the Breadcrumb Coating:
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs or unseasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
- olive oil cooking spray
For Serving:
- 1 ½ cups of marinara sauce, warmed for dipping
- fresh chopped parsley or basil, optional
Instructions
- Cut each mozzarella string cheese stick into 4 equal pieces, giving you 12 pieces total. Set aside.
- Roughly chop the pepperoni so it gets evenly distributed throughout the meatballs. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped pepperoni, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions. Flatten each portion in your hand, place one piece of mozzarella in the center, and carefully form the meat around the cheese, completely sealing it inside. Roll into a ball.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Roll each meatball in the panko mixture, gently pressing the crumbs onto the outside so they stick.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the turkey reaches 165°F in the center.
- Warm the marinara sauce and serve the pizza meatballs alongside for dipping. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Video
Notes
- Ground Meat: Lean ground turkey, chicken, or beef all work well in this recipe.
- String Cheese: If you don’t have string cheese, you can use low-moisture mozzarella cut into small pieces for stuffing the meatballs. Shredded mozzarella works, too. Or, skip the stuffing altogether and sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the meatballs during the last 5 minutes of baking for a melty, cheesy topping.
- Breadcrumbs: We used panko breadcrumbs for the crispy coating since the larger flakes give you extra crunch. I’ve also made these with regular breadcrumbs, and they work great, too.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
