Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs Recipe
Delicious mozzarella stuffed meatballs with a juicy blend of ground beef, parmesan, and fresh herbs, baked to perfection and served with marinara sauce and spaghetti. A comforting Italian-American classic that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 meatballs (serves 6) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound 80% lean ground beef or half ground pork and half ground beef
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
Mozzarella Filling
- 4–6 ounces mozzarella, cut into 24 1/2-inch cubes
To Serve
- Marinara sauce
- Cooked spaghetti noodles
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, kosher salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. Mix gently using a wooden spoon or your hands just until the ingredients are combined. If the mixture feels dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to keep it moist.
- Shape Meatballs with Cheese Filling: Using a medium cookie scoop or spoon, portion the meat mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Place one cube of mozzarella in the center of each portion. Carefully wrap the meat mixture around the cheese and shape into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, ensuring the cheese is fully enclosed.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs uncovered for 17 to 20 minutes, turning them halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking. Bake until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center and reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
- Serve: Warm the marinara sauce and cooked spaghetti noodles. Serve the hot mozzarella stuffed meatballs over the spaghetti, spooning marinara sauce over the top.
Notes
- To check doneness, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for beef and pork.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version, though moisture may vary.
- Using freshly grated parmesan cheese enhances the flavor significantly.
- Ensure the mozzarella cubes are well wrapped to prevent cheese leakage during baking.
- These meatballs reheat well and can be frozen before or after baking for meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce and spaghetti
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: mozzarella stuffed meatballs, baked meatballs, Italian meatball recipe, meatballs with cheese, spaghetti meatballs, Italian dinner recipes