Why simple, delicious ingredients still win at this long-time NYC favorite

In a city where menus change overnight and trends come and go, a restaurant’s longevity speaks for itself. Since opening on the Lower East Side in 2010, The Meatball Shop has remained a go-to for locals and tourists craving a special meal that feels familiar, comforting and delicious. Folks haven’t been eating here for sixteen years because of an hours-long wait, the latest viral video or some flash-in-the-pan novelty. They keep coming back because of The Meatball Shop’s commitment to craveable meals that are fun to eat and always made with simple, quality ingredients like mozzarella, parmesan and local veggies.

Founded by childhood best friends Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow, The Meatball Shop was born from a simple idea: make food that people actually want to eat, using local ingredients they recognize. Their mix-and-match approach to this family favorite, which lets you choose your meatballs, sauces and sides, puts the focus on flavor without overcomplicating the experience. From mozzarella-topped classics to saucy baked dishes, their menu continues to prove that simple always wins.

That same philosophy translates to your home kitchen, too. When you cook a meal with simple, high-quality ingredients like Polly-O cheese, you can elevate everyday dishes into something gooey, delicious and craveable in 30 minutes or less. New Yorkers and their families have loved Polly-O cheeses for generations because they melt evenly, stretch perfectly and deliver the kind of cheesy deliciousness that brings back happy memories. Inspired by The Meatball Shop’s menu and mindset, these two easy recipes featuring Polly-O Pizza Cheese bring the restaurant’s energy to your home kitchen. You won’t need any special equipment, hard-to-find ingredients or tons of time, since these simple recipes will be on the table in under half an hour.

Put the spotlight on simplicity 

It’s no surprise that The Meatball Shop puts the spotlight on the meatballs that made it famous. Instead of piling on complicated techniques or unexpected flavors, they lean into simple, quality ingredients like heritage pork and local veggies. Quality matters at home, too. Polly-O “The Original” Pizza Cheese is low-moisture mozzarella that melts and browns beautifully, mixed with parmesan and romano, adding depth of flavor. It’s ideal for both everyday meals and special occasions. 

Recipe: Cheesy Baked Meatballs

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• 1 egg
• Breadcrumbs
• Parsley, finely chopped
• Polly-O “The Original” Pizza Cheese, shredded
• Marinara sauce

Instructions

1. Heat the oven
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix the meatballs
• In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs and parsley.
• Mix gently until just combined. Don’t overwork it.
3. Add the cheese
• Fold in shredded Polly-O “The Original” Pizza Cheese. You want it evenly distributed but not mashed in.
4. Form the meatballs
• Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them in a baking dish in a single layer.
5. Sauce them
• Spoon marinara sauce over the meatballs, just enough to coat without drowning them.
6. Bake
• Cover loosely and bake for 25 minutes.
7. Finish with more cheese
• Uncover, sprinkle more Polly-O “The Original” Pizza Cheese over the top and return to the oven for 10–15 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Rest and serve
• Let sit for a few minutes before serving so everything sets slightly.

How to serve

Great on their own, with extra marinara for dipping, or tucked into a roll if bread magically appears later.

Make food that’s meant for sharing 

Part of The Meatball Shop’s appeal is its bold, familiar flavors that beg to be shared with family and friends. Shareable starters include creamy mac and cheese, mozzarella balls with a classic tomato sauce and garlic bread topped with melted mozzarella. 

Family-style meals are also ideal for cooking at home. Polly-O “The Classic” Pizza Cheese is fresh mozzarella that’s soft, creamy and melts smoothly, so it’s made for meals meant to be passed around the table (and last bites they’ll fight over every single time). 

Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

Ingredients

• Refrigerated biscuit dough
• Butter
• Garlic
• Parsley
• Polly-O “The Classic” Pizza Cheese
• Salt

Instructions

1. Heat the oven
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a small baking dish or loaf pan.
2. Prep the garlic butter
• Melt butter in a small pan or microwave. Finely mince the garlic and stir it into the melted butter with a pinch of salt.
3. Cut the biscuits
• Separate the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters.
4. Build the bread
• Toss the biscuit pieces in the garlic butter until coated. Layer them into the baking dish, sprinkling shredded Polly-O “The Classic” Pizza Cheese and chopped parsley between layers.
5. Bake
• Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the top is golden and the cheese is melted.
6. Finish and serve
• Let it cool slightly, then pull apart and serve warm.

How to serve

Best eaten straight from the pan while the cheese is still stretchy and the garlic butter is doing its thing.

The Meatball Shop remains a New York favorite after all these years for the same reason these two recipes shine: simple ingredients and lots of delicious cheese.

Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding your family or hosting friends for the holidays, Polly-O cheeses bring comfort, confidence and flavor into your home kitchen for a restaurant-quality meal every night of the week.