Description
These Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and filled with gooey melted mozzarella cheese. Made with ground beef, aromatic herbs, and parmesan, then simmered gently in marinara sauce, they make a perfect comforting meal served over pasta or on their own. The browned exterior and melty cheese center deliver a delicious contrast in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, diced finely
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- pepper, to taste
Filling
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
Cooking
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, egg, finely diced onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, Panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to form the meatball mixture.
- Prepare Mozzarella Cubes: Cut the fresh mozzarella into approximately 1/2 inch sized cubes. Set aside for stuffing the meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Take about 2 tablespoon-sized scoops of the meatball mixture and flatten them with your fingers. Place one mozzarella cube in the center, cover it completely with the meat mixture, and roll into a tight, round ball. Repeat until you form 12 meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan on the stove over medium to high heat. Add the meatballs carefully, browning one side until it forms a golden crust. Flip the meatballs gently to brown the other side as well.
- Simmer in Sauce: Once browned on both sides, pour the marinara sauce into the pan, covering all the meatballs. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes. Flip the meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly inside and out.
- Serve: Remove the meatballs from the pan and serve hot over pasta or your favorite side. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy the gooey, cheesy center in every bite!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Make sure the mozzarella cubes are fully enclosed in the meat to prevent leaking during cooking.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture if you like spice.
- These meatballs freeze well. Freeze cooked meatballs in sauce for up to 3 months.
- Serve with spaghetti, garlic bread, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
