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Olive Garden Meatball Pizza Bowl Recipe

If you've been waiting to try this Olive Garden appetizer creation, the wait is over.

Olive Garden Meatball Pizza Bowl Recipe

This Olive Garden Meatball Pizza Bowl is outrageous and ingenious all at once. Olive Garden introduced this brand new menu item, and the jury's still out on whether or not it's bound to go down in their hall of fame or fizzle out like other such creations through the chain's history. 

We made this version in our test kitchen so you could help us decide! Made from basic ingredients you may already have on hand, this recipe calls for homemade meatballs, which are then placed inside a handmade bread bowl, covered in mozzarella, marinara, and pepperoni, and baked to perfection.

There's one thing you can be sure about when making this dish, it will certainly be a memorable dining experience!

More Ideas for Your Best Party Menu

As editors of a recipe website, we are thrilled to help you plan a party menu that will surely impress your guests. In addition to the delicious Olive Garden Meatball Pizza Bowl, we have some more crowd-pleasing snack and treat ideas to elevate your spread.

To start off, consider serving some classic finger foods like spinach and artichoke dip with warm pita bread or tortilla chips for dipping. This creamy and savory dip is always a hit at parties and can be made ahead of time for easy serving.

For a lighter option, a vibrant and fresh caprese salad skewer is a perfect addition to your menu. These bite-sized appetizers feature cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and mozzarella balls drizzled with balsamic glaze for a burst of flavor in each bite.

If you're looking for a heartier snack, try preparing some loaded potato skins. These crispy potato shells filled with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions are sure to be a crowd favorite.

To satisfy your guests' sweet tooth, consider serving mini desserts like bite-sized cheesecake bites or chocolate dipped strawberries. These sweet treats are easy to eat while mingling and provide a sweet ending to your party menu.

We hope these additional recipe ideas help you create a memorable and delicious spread for your upcoming party. Enjoy preparing and sharing these tasty dishes with your guests!

Makes4 pizza bowls

Preparation Time20 min

Cooking Time50 min

Kid FriendlyYes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef or ground sausage
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion
  • 2 tablespoon panko
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • For the bread bowls:
  • 1 cup self-rising flour
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • When assembling:
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 10 pepperoni slices

For more classic from your favorite Italian chain, check out: 34 Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

  2. Combine meatball ingredients together. Using hands, roll into small meatballs.

  3. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly brown and cooked.

  4. To make the bowls, mix self-rising flour and nonfat Greek yogurt until it forms a dough.

  5. Place dough on a floured surface. Cut into four equal pieces.

  6. Flatten each dough ball, and place over the top of a flipped over a small bowl.

  7. Place all four bowls on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.

  8. Remove from oven and remove bread from the molds.

  9. To assemble the bowls, place mozzarella in the bowl, then spoon in sauce, followed by three meatballs and a few pepperonis into each bowl.

  10. Place bowls on a baking sheet and bake to melt the cheese, about 5-10 minutes.

Up next:

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

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