Description
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are tender and juicy, packed with melted mozzarella cheese inside. Baked to a golden brown and simmered in a rich marinara sauce, these meatballs are a delicious Italian-inspired dish perfect for dinner or appetizers.
Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Filling & Sauce
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef, ground pork, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until a uniform mixture forms.
- Portion Meat Mixture: Divide the meat mixture into 16 equal portions to ensure even cooking and uniform size.
- Stuff Meatballs: Flatten each portion into a patty, place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center, then carefully seal the meat around the cheese and roll into a smooth ball to encase the cheese fully.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the meatballs spaced evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased to prevent sticking.
- Bake: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until they are browned and cooked through.
- Simmer in Sauce: While baking, warm the marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat. After baking, add the meatballs to the skillet and simmer gently for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the meatballs with fresh basil leaves and serve hot, optionally over pasta or with garlic bread.
Notes
- Serve these delicious meatballs over spaghetti or alongside toasted garlic bread for a complete Italian meal.
- Make sure the mozzarella is fully enclosed within the meatball to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
- For a lighter option, ground turkey can be substituted for beef and pork.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
