Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs Recipe
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are juicy, flavorful meatballs filled with gooey fresh mozzarella cheese. Made with ground beef, aromatic herbs, and a blend of breadcrumbs and parmesan, these meatballs are pan-seared to a golden brown and then simmered in rich marinara sauce for a comforting Italian-inspired dish perfect for serving over pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
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 basil, dried
- 1/2 tsp oregano, dried
- 1/2 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
Cheese
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
Cooking and Sauce
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, finely diced onion, minced garlic, freshly chopped parsley, Panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Cube the Mozzarella: Cut the fresh mozzarella cheese into approximately 1/2 inch sized cubes. Set aside for stuffing.
- Form and Stuff the Meatballs: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the meatball mixture, flatten it gently with your fingers, place one mozzarella cube in the center, then carefully wrap the meat around the cheese and roll into a tightly packed ball. Repeat this process to make a total of 12 meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the meatballs in the hot pan, making sure they don’t overcrowd. Brown the meatballs on one side until golden, then carefully flip to brown the other side. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Simmer in Marinara Sauce: Once browned, pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs in the pan. Reduce the heat to low-medium, cover, and let the meatballs simmer gently in the sauce for about 10 minutes. Flip the meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure even heat and thorough cooking.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the mozzarella stuffed meatballs over your choice of pasta. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your delicious, gooey stuffed meatballs!
Notes
- Be careful not to overfill the meatballs with mozzarella to prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- If you don’t have Panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs will work but Panko adds a lighter texture.
- Make sure to brown the meatballs well before simmering to build flavor and keep them intact.
- Use fresh mozzarella for the best melty, creamy center.
- Simmering the meatballs in sauce ensures they cook through and remain juicy.
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with spaghetti, linguine, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
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Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/mozzarella-stuffed-meatballs-recipe/
