RITZ Sausage and Cheese Bites

Name: RITZ Sausage and Cheese Bites
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 78 RITZ Crackers, divided; 1 lb. Italian sausage; 1 red pepper, finely chopped; 1 cup shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese; 1 egg, beaten; ½ grated Parmesan cheese, divided; ⅔ cup marinara sauce; ¼ cup fresh basil

Homemade meatballs are the secret to these delicious party appetizers. Make ahead and freeze the meatballs to make last minute party prep easier.

Let's whip it up

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 min

Servings:

Ingredient list

78 RITZ Crackers, divided
1 lb. ground Italian sausage
1 red pepper, finely chopped
1 cup shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
½ grated Parmesan cheese, divided
⅔ cup marinara sauce
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Nutrition factsNutrition information

Recipe Tips

Heat oven to 350°F.

Cover rimmed baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray.

Crush 30 crackers. Reserve 1/4 cup crumbs for later use. Mix remaining cracker crumbs with sausage, peppers, mozzarella, egg and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese until blended.

Shape into 48 (1-inch) meatballs, using about 1 Tbsp. meat mixture for each meatball.

Combine reserved cracker crumbs and remaining Parmesan cheese in shallow dish. Add meatballs, 1 at a time, to crumb mixture; turn to evenly coat all sides of each meatball with crumb mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake 10 to 15 min. or until done (160°F.). About 5 min. before meatballs are done, heat marinara sauce.

Top crackers with meatballs; drizzle with marinara sauce. Sprinkle with basil.