Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs combine the heartwarming flavors of Italian cuisine, creating a dish that is both comforting and irresistible. Imagine biting into a succulent meatball, just cooked to perfection, and discovering a gooey, melted mozzarella center that oozes with flavor. This recipe is a delightful option for family dinners, parties, or any occasion where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. Packed with protein, herbs, and a hint of spice, these meatballs bring nostalgia and pleasure to the table. In this post, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to craft these delightful morsels, ensuring even the most novice cooks can follow along easily.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe for Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs is a fantastic choice for various reasons. For starters, it requires minimal prep time, making it a great weeknight dinner option. With only a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. The creamy mozzarella centers bring a fun twist, ensuring that your meatballs are a crowd-pleaser. Plus, they are baked rather than fried, making them a healthier option for enjoying a comforting meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef: Juicy and savory, this ground beef serves as the backbone of our meatballs.
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs: These offer a delightful crunch and help to bind the meat together.
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor that elevates the dish.
• 1 large egg: This provides moisture and helps to bind all the ingredients together.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: Cooking with garlic infuses the meatballs with an aromatic depth.
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Offers a warm, earthy flavor typical of Italian cuisine.
• 1 teaspoon dried basil: This herb adds freshness and complements the other flavors beautifully.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt & 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing the meatball flavor.
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for stuffing): Creamy, stretchy, and oh-so-delicious when melted.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing): Keeps the meatballs from sticking to the pan.
• 2 cups marinara sauce: A rich and savory sauce that pairs perfectly with the meatballs.
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): For those who like a little heat.
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish: These provide a pop of color and a touch of freshness.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). A hot oven is essential for achieving the perfect golden-brown meatballs!

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheet

Grease a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to ensure that the meatballs won’t stick during the baking process.

Step 3: Mix the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, the large egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until evenly incorporated. This should take about 2-3 minutes for the perfect blend.

Step 4: Form the Meatballs

Take a small amount of the meatball mixture in your hand and flatten it into a disk. Place about 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center, then carefully mold the meat around the cheese, sealing it inside. Roll the meatball between your palms to form a smooth ball, then place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture until all the meatballs are formed.

Step 5: Bake the Meatballs

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and are thoroughly cooked through. The interior should be no longer pink, and a meat thermometer should read 160°F (70°C).

Step 6: Prepare the Marinara Sauce

While the meatballs are baking, heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. If you like a little kick, add the optional red pepper flakes and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once the meatballs are baked, transfer them to a serving plate. Spoon some of the marinara sauce over the meatballs, and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!

Tips & Tricks

To achieve perfectly round meatballs, consider using a cookie scoop or your hands for even sizing. For added flavor, let the meatballs rest in the marinara sauce for an hour before serving. This way, they soak up even more deliciousness! If you prefer a little kick, a touch of crushed red pepper can enhance the flavor.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

These Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are incredibly versatile. They’re delightful served over spaghetti or in a sub sandwich topped with marinara and melted cheese for a delicious meatball sub. They also make great appetizers served with toothpicks and marinara on the side. For a complete meal, consider pairing them with a side salad and garlic bread for a perfect Italian-inspired feast.

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 1 meatball

• Calories: 185
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Fat: 10g
• Fiber: 0.5g

This dish provides a balance of protein and carbohydrates, making it a hearty option. Always be mindful of portion sizes, especially if you’re watching your calorie intake.

Storing Tips & Variations

To store leftover meatballs, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to three months. To reheat, place them in a microwave for a few minutes or bake them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

Variations can include using ground turkey for a leaner option or swapping out the mozzarella for your favorite cheese, like cheddar or gouda. You can also experiment with different herbs such as thyme or rosemary for a flavor twist.

Conclusion

Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs offer an extremely rewarding cooking experience, combining flavors and textures that are hard to resist. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll create a dish that your family and friends will love and that you’ll enjoy making. Don’t hesitate to try this delightful recipe and share your experience in the comments!

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Absolutely! You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even a meat substitute if you prefer a vegetarian option. Just adjust cooking times as necessary.

2. How can I make these meatballs gluten-free?
Substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for a delicious gluten-free version.

3. Can I prepare the meatballs in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the meatballs and freeze them before baking. Just thaw and bake when ready to enjoy.

4. How do I make the meatballs spicy?
If you’d like to add some heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes in the marinara sauce or mix some into the meatball mixture.

5. What’s the best way to serve leftover meatballs?
Leftover meatballs can be enjoyed cold or warm, nestled in a wrap, or served over rice or pasta, making them a versatile dish for any meal.

Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs combine heartwarming flavors of Italian cuisine with gooey mozzarella centers, creating an irresistible dish perfect for family dinners or parties.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 meatballs

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 185

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Meatball Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef Juicy and savory, serves as the backbone of our meatballs.
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Offers a delightful crunch and helps to bind the meat together.
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Adds a sharp, nutty flavor.
• 1 large egg Provides moisture and helps to bind all the ingredients.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced Infuses the meatballs with aromatic depth.
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano Offers a warm, earthy flavor.
• 1 teaspoon dried basil Adds freshness and complements the other flavors.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt Essential seasoning.
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Essential seasoning.
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For stuffing, creamy and stretchy when melted.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil For greasing the baking sheet.
• 2 cups marinara sauce Pairs perfectly with the meatballs.
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional for those who like some heat.

Garnish

• to taste fresh basil leaves Provides a pop of color and freshness.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly incorporated.
4. Take a small amount of the mixture, flatten it into a disk, place 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center, and mold the meat around the cheese to form a ball.
5. Repeat the process until all meatballs are formed and placed on the prepared baking sheet.

Cooking

1. Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
2. While baking, heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, adding optional red pepper flakes and simmering for 5-7 minutes.

Serving

1. Once the meatballs are baked, transfer them to a serving plate, spoon marinara sauce over, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

For perfectly round meatballs, consider using a cookie scoop. Letting the meatballs rest in marinara for an hour enhances flavor. For added kick, mix in red pepper flakes.