Description
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are juicy beef meatballs filled with melted mozzarella cheese, seasoned with Italian herbs, and baked to perfection. Served with marinara sauce and spaghetti noodles, this comforting Italian-American classic brings rich flavors and cheesy goodness to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (pre-grated from the jar)
- ¼ cup yellow onion, minced (about ¼ small onion)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced (about 2 cloves)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Filling
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced into ½ inch pieces
For Serving
- Marinara sauce
- Spaghetti noodles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the lean ground beef, Italian bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, minced yellow onion, minced garlic, egg, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Take about 1 ½ tablespoons of the meat mixture and form it into a ball in your hand. Press one piece of diced mozzarella cheese into the center and carefully mold the meat around it, ensuring the cheese is completely encased. Aim for meatballs about 1 inch in diameter.
- Bake Meatballs: Arrange the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Cook Spaghetti: While the meatballs bake, cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat Sauce with Meatballs: Once meatballs are done baking, transfer them to a large saucepan or pot with marinara sauce. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring gently until the sauce is heated through and meatballs are well coated.
- Serve: Plate the spaghetti noodles and top with the mozzarella stuffed meatballs and marinara sauce. Serve hot and enjoy the gooey melted cheese center with every bite.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add fresh chopped parsley or basil when serving.
- Use fresh mozzarella if possible for a creamier filling.
- The meatball size can be adjusted but bake times may vary if larger.
- Leftover meatballs freeze well; reheat gently in sauce.
- To reduce sodium, adjust salt and use low-sodium marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: mozzarella stuffed meatballs, baked meatballs, italian meatballs, mozzarella cheese meatballs, spaghetti meatballs, easy italian dinner
