Tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and hearty ingredients come together in this collection of comforting and versatile recipes. From crispy meatball subs to pasta dishes with creative twists, these meals are perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings. Each recipe offers a unique take on classic flavors, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re in the mood for griddle-cooked appetizers, cheesy baked pasta, or handheld favorites like sandwiches and sliders, these dishes bring bold flavors and satisfying textures. They’re easy to prepare and packed with comforting ingredients that make mealtime memorable.
Get inspired to try these recipes and add some Italian-inspired flair to your table. From smoky baked ziti to plant-based meatballs, you’re sure to find a new favorite!
Blackstone Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Juicy chicken meatballs coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs, topped with marinara and melted mozzarella. Perfect over pasta for a comforting meal.
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Blackstone Smashed Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
A crispy chicken parmesan sandwich cooked on a griddle, layered with marinara and cheese for a handheld, flavorful meal.
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Meatball Sandwich Recipe
Tender meatballs simmered in marinara, tucked into a soft roll, and topped with melted cheese for a classic and satisfying meal.
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Blackstone Fried Mozzarella
Golden, crispy breaded mozzarella sticks cooked on a griddle, paired with marinara for a deliciously cheesy snack or appetizer.
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Blackstone Meatball Subs
Meatballs, marinara, and cheese come together in a toasted sub roll, griddled for a crisp finish. A tasty handheld meal for any time of day.
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Traeger Baked Tortellini
This smoky baked tortellini combines marinara, meatballs, and mozzarella, all cooked on a Traeger grill for deep, comforting flavors.
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Traeger Baked Ziti
Layers of pasta, marinara, and melted cheese are baked to bubbly perfection on a Traeger grill, adding a smoky twist to a comforting classic.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Baked Ziti
Meatball Marinara
Juicy, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich marinara sauce. A classic dish that’s perfect over pasta or served with crusty bread.
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Breaded Stuffed Shells
Crispy breaded pasta shells stuffed with a cheesy filling, served with marinara for dipping. A creative and delicious twist on stuffed pasta.
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Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders with Garlic Butter
These bite-sized sliders feature meatballs, marinara, and melted cheese nestled in soft buns. Perfect for parties or easy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders with Garlic Butter
Easy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe (Weeknight Favorite)
A family-friendly casserole with layers of pasta, marinara, melted cheese, and pepperoni. All the flavors of pizza in an easy, baked dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe (Weeknight Favorite)
Easy Grilled Pizza Burgers
Juicy burgers with pizza toppings like marinara, cheese, and herbs, all grilled to perfection. A fun fusion of two favorite meals in one.
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Shrimp Tomato Soup
A quick and flavorful shrimp tomato soup made with marinara sauce. This comforting dish comes together in no time for a simple weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tomato Soup
Crescent Roll Pizza Braid
Flaky crescent dough wrapped around layers of mozzarella, pepperoni, and marinara for an easy and crowd-pleasing pizza-inspired dish.
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Shrimp Marinara
Succulent shrimp cooked in a rich tomato marinara sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying pasta meal.
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Veal Parmesan
Breaded veal cutlets topped with marinara and cheese, baked to perfection for a hearty Italian-American classic.
Get the Recipe: Veal Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Crispy breaded chicken, marinara, and melted mozzarella are sandwiched in toasted bread for a portable take on chicken parmesan.
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Homemade Meatball Subs
Juicy meatballs smothered in marinara and cheese, served in a toasted sub roll for a hearty and flavorful meal.
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Chicken Pasta with Rosa Sauce
Pasta tossed in a creamy rosa sauce—a blend of marinara and cream—with tender chicken for a rich and comforting dinner.
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Easy Homemade Marinara
A simple, flavorful marinara sauce made with herbs and tomatoes. Perfect for pasta, pizzas, or dipping.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Marinara
Italian Black Bean Meatballs
A hearty plant-based alternative, these black bean meatballs are infused with Italian flavors and pair perfectly with marinara and pasta or zoodles.
Get the Recipe: Italian Black Bean Meatballs
Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
Turkey meatballs stuffed with cheddar cheese and seasoned with Italian spices, cooked in marinara for a flavorful and easy dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs