This Skillet Tomato Basil Meatballs is warm, cheesy and the perfect appetizer for a party, game day or for your family to enjoy. Tomato basil meatballs are cooked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with gooey, warm cheese and fresh basil. Pair it with warm baguette to create the perfect bite sized appetizer! 

SKILLET TOMATO BASIL MEATBALLS

You really can’t beat a warm, gooey appetizer that comforts you on those cold winter days. Today’s Skillet Tomato Basil Meatballs does just that but is also perfect any time of the year.

It makes a great appetizer for a party {I am thinking a holiday party}, game day or for a family get together.

This appetizer uses 5 simple ingredients but packs in a lot of flavor.

Tomato Basil Turkey Meatballs are paired with rich tomato sauce and baked until warm, then topped with freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil. This dish reminds me of this Easy Baked Rigatoni with Chicken Meatballs that I made recently but without the pasta. 

Pair this with warm, crusty baguette to make the perfect bite sized treat.

You guys probably know me buy now…when it comes to recipes I need to keep it pretty simple these days. With three kids under 5 years old I just don’t have the time I used to when it comes to cooking.

I miss the days of making complicated recipes but I know that day will come again and for now I need to embrace the chaos.

One thing that helps me get through the madness is to stick to simple recipes that I can whip up for my family or friends that still taste great and will impress my guests.

This recipe is perfect for game day when you  need something quick and don’t want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen.

Today’s Skillet Tomato Basil Meatballs use al fresco’s  Tomato & Basil Chicken Meatballs. 

They are made with lean, skinless chicken meat, 50% less fat than beef & pork Italian meatballs, gluten and pork free. The flavors in these meatballs worked great with the tomato sauce, cheese and basil.

If you aren’t familiar with al fresco, they offer more than 30 flavorful, all natural and healthy chicken products ranging from dinner and breakfast sausage to meatballs, chicken burgers and chicken bacon.

al fresco is the #1 better-for-you chicken sausage brand in the U.S. All of al fresco products have at least 50% less fat than traditional pork and beef products, are 100% all natural and delicious.

There are no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, no nitrates or nitrites, and are MSG/gluten-free.

Whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time – when you eat al fresco, you eat better.

You can feel good about eating these meatballs and they make life easier when you don’t have time to make homemade meatballs {raising my hand over here!}. al fresco also has Teriyaki Ginger Meatballs which also make a great appetizer or finger food for the family.

Skillet Tomato Basil Meatballs are simple to make. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Start with a skillet {I used a cast iron skillet}, or if you don’t have one use an oven safe dish.

Pour a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom {you can use homemade sauce or your favorite store bought} and spread it into an even layer.

Then place one package of the al fresco Tomato & Basil Chicken Meatballs on top of the sauce followed by more sauce. Place in the oven and baked for 15- 20 minutes, or until the sauce and meatballs are warm.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the mozzarella and parmesan cheese and bake for another 5 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve with crusty, warm baguette if you want.

I hope you guys make this delicious appetizer for the big game!

Today’s post is sponsored by al fresco. All opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that allow me to create new and delicious recipes!