Juicy Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs Recipe: Family Favorite

Crafting delectable mozzarella stuffed meatballs promises a flavor explosion that’ll make dinner feel special.

Cheese lovers rejoice with this simple yet impressive dish.

Tender meat wraps around melty mozzarella, creating irresistible bites packed with comfort.

Each meatball delivers a surprise center of gooey goodness that sparks excitement at the table.

Weeknight meals suddenly become extraordinary with minimal effort and maximum taste.

Ingredients blend seamlessly to produce juicy, satisfying protein that everyone will devour.

Savor these meatballs and watch smiles light up around your dining space.

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs That Impress

• Create Cheesy Delights: Mozzarella hidden inside juicy meatballs delivers a surprise burst of melted cheese that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.
• Simplify Cooking Process: Baking instead of frying reduces mess and cleanup while ensuring perfectly cooked meatballs with a consistent golden-brown exterior.
• Customize Your Meal: Versatile recipe allows serving over pasta, alongside crusty bread, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game days, family gatherings, or casual dinner parties.
• Minimal Ingredient Preparation: Using ground beef and pork blend creates rich flavor, while basic pantry staples like breadcrumbs, herbs, and seasonings make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Ingredients For Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

• Ground Beef: Provides the rich, meaty base for the meatballs.
• Ground Pork: Adds extra flavor and helps create a juicy texture.

• Mozzarella, Parmesan Cheese: Mozzarella creates a gooey center, while Parmesan adds depth of flavor to the meat mixture.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg: Help bind the meatballs together and provide structure.
• Garlic, Parsley, Italian Seasoning: Deliver aromatic and herbaceous notes to the meatballs.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste.

• Marinara Sauce: Provides a classic, tangy complement to the meatballs.

How To Make Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400F (200C) and get ready for some meatball magic.

Step 2: Mix the Meat Magic

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Minced garlic
• Chopped parsley
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Dive in with your hands and mix everything until it’s perfectly combined.

Step 3: Create Cheese-Filled Treasures

Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Drop a mozzarella cube right in the center, then lovingly wrap the meat around it, forming a beautiful round ball.

Keep going until you’ve used up all the meat mixture.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange your meatballs on a greased baking sheet.

Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until they’re beautifully golden and cooked through.

Step 5: Simmer in Sauce

Warm up your marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat.

Gently nestle the baked meatballs into the sauce and let them simmer together for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and dance.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate up these cheesy meatballs over pasta, alongside crusty bread, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Get ready for serious flavor explosions!

Tips For Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

• Gently mix meats with a light hand to keep meatballs tender and prevent tough texture.
• Cut mozzarella into uniform small cubes for even melting and consistent cheese distribution inside each meatball.
• Ensure meat completely seals around cheese to prevent leaking during baking by pinching edges carefully.
• Pat meat mixture slightly damp hands to help shape meatballs without sticking and create smoother surfaces.
• Allow meatballs to rest briefly after baking to help retain juices and maintain optimal moisture before simmering in marinara sauce.

Flavorful Twists On Stuffed Meatballs

• Gluten-Free Meatballs: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
• Lamb Alternative: Swap ground beef and pork with ground lamb for a rich, Mediterranean-style meatball with deeper flavor.
• Vegetarian Option: Create plant-based meatballs using Beyond Meat or impossible grounds, stuffing with dairy-free cheese for a meat-free alternative.
• Low-Carb Keto Meatballs: Use ground pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs and serve with zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content.

Pairings For Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

• Cheesy Pasta Night Delight: Serve these juicy meatballs over your favorite pasta, letting the marinara sauce coat each noodle for a mouthwatering meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Party Appetizer Sensation: Arrange meatballs on a platter with toothpicks, perfect for game day or holiday gatherings, allowing guests to easily grab and enjoy these bite-sized flavor bombs.
• Sandwich Spectacular: Slice the mozzarella-stuffed meatballs in half and nestle them into a crusty Italian roll, creating a hearty sandwich that delivers maximum cheesy goodness in every bite.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare a batch of these meatballs ahead of time, store in the refrigerator, and quickly reheat for a quick weeknight dinner that's both delicious and convenient.

Storing Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs Properly

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor transfer.
• Freeze meatballs in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for maximum 3 months. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheat refrigerated meatballs in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For oven reheating, place meatballs in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 350F for 10-15 minutes.
• Thaw frozen meatballs overnight in refrigerator before reheating. Gently warm in skillet with marinara sauce to restore moisture and prevent dryness.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef and pork with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, but ensure the meat has enough fat content to keep the meatballs moist.

• How do I prevent the mozzarella from leaking out?

Ensure the meat completely covers the cheese cube and seal the edges tightly when forming the meatballs. Refrigerating them for 15 minutes before baking can also help them hold their shape.

• Is it necessary to use both ground beef and pork?

While the combination adds rich flavor, you can use just ground beef if preferred. The key is to use meat with some fat content to keep the meatballs juicy.

Juicy Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Succulent mozzarella stuffed meatballs elevate classic Italian comfort cuisine with gooey cheese centers. Hearty protein delivers rich flavors and satisfying textures for quick weeknight dinners you will crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1/2 pound (227 grams) ground pork
• 4 ounces (113 grams) mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
• 1 large egg

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cups marinara sauce

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Instructions

1. Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blending the ingredients until they form a cohesive mixture.
2. Create uniform meat patties by taking approximately two tablespoons of the mixture and gently flattening it in your palm.
3. Position a mozzarella cube precisely in the center of each meat patty, carefully encasing the cheese by molding the meat around it to create perfectly sealed spherical meatballs.
4. Prepare a baking sheet by lightly greasing its surface to prevent sticking.
5. Arrange the cheese-filled meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
6. Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 400F (200C) and roast for 15 minutes, allowing the exterior to develop a golden-brown crust while maintaining a juicy interior.
7. Simultaneously, warm marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a rich, bubbling base.
8. Transfer the freshly baked meatballs directly into the simmering marinara sauce, letting them gently cook for an additional 10 minutes to absorb the sauce’s robust flavors.
9. Serve piping hot, nestled over pasta, accompanied by crusty bread, or presented as an enticing appetizer.

Notes

• Customize meat ratios by adjusting ground beef and pork percentages for richer or leaner flavor profiles.
• Ensure mozzarella cubes are well-sealed inside meat to prevent cheese leakage during baking.
• Experiment with different cheese types like provolone or fontina for unique mozzarella variations.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to make recipe celiac and low-carb friendly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 248 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg