I'm Caitlin - culinary hostess, wellness retreat curator, and homebody at heart. This blog is where I share seasonal recipes, intentional living tips, and behind-the-scenes moments from my kitchen, travels, and retreats.
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Looking for a party-perfect bite that’s hearty, flavorful, and always a crowd favorite? These Pizza Burger Bites with Marinara Dipping Sauce are exactly that. Juicy, bite-sized meatballs packed with classic pizza flavors and served with warm marinara for dipping. They’re a fun twist on both pizza and sliders that everyone will love. Discover how to make these delicious pizza burger bites with marinara dipping sauce today!
If you’ve ever wanted the comfort of pizza and the satisfaction of a burger rolled into one, this recipe delivers. These pizza burger bites are loaded with ground beef, sausage, roasted peppers, and black olives, then paired with a warm marinara sauce for dipping. Perfect for game day spreads, casual gatherings, or family game night, this recipe brings all the flavors of your favorite pizza in a handheld bite. When you’re craving an exciting appetizer, pizza burger bites with marinara sauce make a fun choice.
I love serving these when entertaining because they’re simple to prep ahead, bake beautifully, are versatile, and taste incredible when dipped in marinara.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground sausage
1/2 can black olives, sliced
1/3 cup roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons oregano olive oil (sub with regular olive oil and fresh or dried oregano)
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
fresh parsley, for garnish
avocado oil, for searing
your favorite jar of homemade or store-bought marinara, for dipping
EQUIPMENT
Mixing Bowl
Skillet, for searing
Baking Sheet Lined with Parchment
Saucepan for Warming Marinara
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix ground beef, sausage, olives, roasted peppers, olive oil, and sea salt in a bowl. Form into golf ball-sized meatballs to start making your pizza-inspired bites.
Heat about 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the meatballs on all sides until browned.
Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
Meanwhile, warm marinara in a saucepan to serve as the dipping sauce for your pizza burger bites.
Garnish cooked bites with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot with marinara on the side for dipping.
STORAGE & MAKE-AHEAD TIPS
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 – 4 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Freezer: Freeze after baking and cooling. Simply reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Make-Ahead: Mix and form meatballs a day ahead. Sear and bake just before serving.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I add cheese?
Yes! For a melty center, tuck a small piece of mozzarella into the middle of each bite before baking.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely. The recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use a GF marinara.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead?
Yes, though the flavor will be lighter. Mixing in sausage (pork or chicken) helps keep the bites juicy.
Juicy, bite-sized meatballs packed with the pizza flavors of ground beef, sausage, roasted peppers, and olives. Perfectly paired with warm marinara for dipping. A go-to entertaining favorite!
Ingredients
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground sausage
1/2 can black olives, sliced
1/3 cup roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons oregano olive oil (sub with regular EVOO and fresh oregano)
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
fresh parsley, for garnish
avocado oil, for searing
your favorite jar of homemade or store-bought marinara, for dipping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix ground beef, sausage, olives, roasted peppers, olive oil, and sea salt in a bowl. Form into golf ball-sized meatballs.
Heat about 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the meatballs on all sides until browned.
Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
Meanwhile, warm marinara in a saucepan.
Garnish cooked bites with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot with marinara on the side for dipping.
Customize with different add-ins like mushrooms, pepperoni, or cheese.
Use lactose-free or dairy free mozzarella if desired.
Great for meal prep and can be easily reheated.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Category:Appetizer
Method:Stovetop + Baked
Cuisine:American / Party Food
Caitlin Lindsey
post author
Caitlin is the creative visionary behind Fit to Entertain, where food, wellness, and intentional living come together. She's passionate about helping others bring joy to the table and live beautifully - one meal at a time.
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