Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs in Marinara Recipe
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are juicy, flavorful meatballs filled with gooey mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection. Served with classic marinara sauce and spaghetti noodles, this dish is a comforting Italian-style dinner that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 16 meatballs) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
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
Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced into ½ inch pieces
Additional Ingredients
- Marinara sauce (quantity as desired)
- Spaghetti noodles (quantity as desired)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1 pound lean ground beef, ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ cup minced yellow onion, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Shape Meatballs: Take about 1 ½ tablespoons of the meat mixture and form it into a small ball in your hand. Press a piece of the diced mozzarella cheese into the center, then continue shaping the meat around the cheese until you form a 1-inch diameter meatball with the cheese fully enclosed.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the formed meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Cook Spaghetti Noodles: While the meatballs are baking, prepare the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside once cooked.
- Heat Sauce with Meatballs: After baking, transfer the meatballs to a large saucepan or pot. Add marinara sauce to cover the meatballs and cook over medium-high heat until the sauce is warmed through and the meatballs are well coated.
- Serve: Remove the meatballs and sauce from heat and serve immediately over the cooked spaghetti noodles for a hearty and cheesy Italian meal.
Notes
- For even cooking, flip the meatballs halfway through baking.
- Make sure mozzarella pieces are fully enclosed to prevent cheese from leaking out during baking.
- You can use store-bought marinara sauce or homemade for a fresher taste.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes to the marinara.
Keywords: mozzarella stuffed meatballs, baked meatballs, Italian meatballs, spaghetti and meatballs, cheesy meatballs
