Happy New Year Pesto Olive Aussie Lamb Meatball and Ravioli Appetizer

After my success at making Tapenade Aussie Lamb Pesto Flatbread with Aussie Ground Lamb, I knew I discovered a delicious combo of flavors, pesto, olives, and #AussieLamb. I wanted to explore that combo more thus…drumroll…enters in the tasty ground lamb meatball ~ EveR! Well, may I am exaggerating a bit there but my Pesto Olive Aussie Lamb Meatballs can be served as an appetizer, so cute on a ravioli. If you need a quick impressive dinner the Pesto Olive Aussie Lamb Meatballs can swim a bowl of marinara sauce with raviolis. Why heck, I even had lamb meatballs for breakfast with a fried egg!

New Years Eve parties are begging for a festive creative bite! Pesto Olive Aussie Lamb Meatball and Ravioli Appetizer will definitely bring in the new year with the perfect “ball drop”. And if you need to forego the ravioli for your gluten-free guests no problem, and for those guests use GF bread crumbs or cracker crumbs.

There ya go, a quick and easy Party Appetizer so you can #OwnYourParty and #BeAussome! Happiest New Decade to you ever, Merry

Pesto Olive Aussie Lamb Meatball and Ravioli Appetizer

Serves: 20 Aussie Lamb Meatballs

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients:

1 lbs Aussie ground lamb

1/4 cup prepared pesto

1/4 cup prepared olive tapenade

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1 whole egg, beaten

Zest from one lemon

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 (20-24 count) package prepared spinach raviolis

2 tablespoons mild olive oil

2 1/2 cups prepared or homemade marinara sauce

20-24 cocktail skewers

20-24 small fresh basil leaves

20-24 cherry or grape tomatoes

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Place ground lamb, pesto, tapenade, breadcrumbs, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, salt, and red pepper in a large bowl, and mix with a large spoon until all ingredients are combined. Form about 20 meatballs with a heaping 1-tablespoon of lamb mixture. Place meatballs on prepared pan at least 1-inch apart.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, turning the meatballs over after 7 minutes of baking.

Meanwhile, cook raviolis as directed and drain. Toss in olive oil. Heat marinara sauce and keep warm.

To serve: Dollop each individual appetizer bowl or plate with 2 tablespoons marinara sauce. Skewer a basil leaf, tomato, and meatball onto a decorative pick, and place on marinara sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

For more Aussome recipes head to True Aussie Beef and Lamb!