Dinner

Crispy Meatball Pizza Recipe

ByJake Silas November 22, 2025November 22, 2025

Introduction

This crispy meatball pizza is a delicious way to transform leftovers into a satisfying meal. Combining golden meatballs, melted mozzarella, and flavorful herbs on a crisp crust, it’s perfect for a quick dinner or casual gathering.

A wooden board holds eight square slices of pizza arranged in a scattered pattern. Each slice has a thin, golden-brown crust base topped with a layer of red tomato sauce followed by melted, slightly browned cheese. On top, there are small browned meat pieces and scattered green olives, giving a textured, hearty look. To the right of the pizza slices, there is a metal pizza cutter with a wooden handle resting on the board. In the top part of the image, a white bowl filled with fresh green salad leaves and a glass with a brown beverage are partially visible. The whole setup is on a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

400g shop-bought or homemade pizza dough, defrosted if frozen
Plain flour, for dusting
200g leftover sauce
150g grated mozzarella
20 leftover meatballs, whole or roughly chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp fennel seeds
½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil, plus a drizzle
Small handful of green olives, roughly chopped
Green salad, to serve

Instructions

Step 1: Leave the dough at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan/gas mark 9). Lightly dust a clean work surface, rolling pin, and your largest baking tray with flour.
Step 2: Roll out the dough and stretch it until it just fits the baking tray. Transfer it to the tray and press into the corners.
Step 3: Spread the leftover sauce evenly over the dough, then scatter most of the grated mozzarella on top.
Step 4: In a bowl, mix the meatballs with oregano, fennel seeds, chilli flakes (if using), and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Step 5: Spoon the meatball mixture evenly over the mozzarella. Scatter the chopped olives and the remaining mozzarella over the top. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the pizza is crispy and golden.
Step 7: Remove from the oven, cut into wedges, and serve with a fresh green salad.

Tips & Variations

Use any type of leftover sauce, such as marinara or a spicy tomato base, to customize the flavor.
If you like extra heat, increase the chilli flakes or add a drizzle of hot sauce before serving.
Try swapping green olives for black olives or capers for a different salty note.

Storage

Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot oven or skillet to maintain crispness rather than using a microwave, which can make the crust soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows eight square slices of pizza on a wooden board. Each slice has three clear layers: the bottom is a light golden-brown crispy crust, the middle layer is bright red tomato sauce spread evenly, and the top layer has melted light yellow cheese covered with small browned pieces of seasoned chicken and some sliced green olives. There is a metal pizza cutter with a wooden handle resting on the board near the right side of the pizza slices. Above the board is a white bowl filled with fresh green lettuce leaves, and to the right of that is a glass containing a light brown drink. The whole setup is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen meatballs for this pizza?

Yes, frozen meatballs can be used as long as they are fully thawed before adding to the pizza to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.

What can I substitute for fennel seeds if I don’t have them?

If you don’t have fennel seeds, you can use a pinch of anise seeds or omit them altogether. The pizza will still be delicious with the oregano and other spices.