Description
Succulent Italian Stuffed Meatballs with mozzarella cheese deliver a mouthwatering culinary experience that brings comfort and flavor to your dinner table. Homemade goodness meets simple preparation, ensuring you can savor restaurant-quality satisfaction right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 6 to 8 small mozzarella balls (or 1 cup mozzarella cut into small cubes)
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Craft a robust ground beef mixture by combining breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian herbs, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl, gently blending until ingredients integrate smoothly.
- Create uniform meat portions by dividing the mixture into equal segments, approximately two tablespoons each, carefully flattening each portion in your palm.
- Insert a delicate mozzarella ball or cube into the center of each flattened meat section, meticulously enveloping the cheese completely to form perfect spherical meatballs.
- Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning the cheese-stuffed meatballs with slight spacing to ensure even heat circulation.
- Roast the meatballs in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven, allowing 20-25 minutes for thorough cooking and achieving a rich golden-brown exterior.
- While meatballs are roasting, develop a complementary marinara sauce by heating olive oil and introducing dried basil, simmering the sauce to enhance its aromatic qualities.
- Elevate the dish’s presentation by garnishing with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan, serving alongside complementary sides like spaghetti or a crisp green salad.
Notes
- Prevent Dry Meatballs by using a meat mixture with a good fat content, like 80/20 ground beef, which keeps the meatballs juicy and tender during baking.
- Cheese Leakage Solution involves chilling mozzarella cubes before wrapping them in meat, creating a tighter seal and reducing the chance of cheese oozing out during cooking.
- Low-Carb Adaptation can be achieved by replacing breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds, maintaining the meatball’s texture while reducing carbohydrate content.
- Freezer-Friendly Tip: Prepare and shape meatballs ahead of time, then freeze uncooked on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag for quick future meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg