Description

These cheesy mozzarella-stuffed meatballs are a fun and flavorful take on a beloved classic. With melty cheese inside and a rich marinara sauce outside, they’re perfect for weeknight dinners or party platters.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (or substitute with turkey or chicken)
1 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat optional)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes
2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix by hand until just combined.
Take a portion of the meat mixture, flatten it in your palm, and place a cube of mozzarella in the center. Wrap the meat around the cheese and roll into a ball, sealing the cheese inside.
Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through and golden.
While they bake, warm the marinara sauce in a pan over medium heat.
Transfer the baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender. To spice it up, add red pepper flakes. These freeze well too—just shape and freeze raw, then bake straight from frozen with a few extra minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 meatballs
Calories: 300
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, cheesy meatballs, oven-baked meatballs, meatball recipe