Description
These Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella are a delicious and flavorful twist on the classic meatball! Tender ground beef or turkey meatballs are filled with gooey melted mozzarella cheese, spinach, and garlic, making each bite a savory, cheesy, and aromatic delight. Perfect for a hearty dinner, party appetizer, or even a special family meal, these meatballs are sure to impress everyone at the table!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)
For the Mozzarella Stuffing:
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes (about 1/2-inch)
For the Tomato Sauce (optional):
- 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated. - Form the Meatballs:
Take a small amount of the meatball mixture (about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons) and flatten it into a small patty in the palm of your hand. Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center, then fold the edges of the patty around the cheese and roll it into a ball, making sure the cheese is fully enclosed. - Cook the Meatballs:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs and cook in batches, turning them occasionally, until they are browned on all sides (about 8-10 minutes). You may need to adjust the heat to avoid burning the outside while ensuring the meatballs cook through. - Finish Cooking (Optional):
If you’d like to make these meatballs extra juicy and flavorful, you can add the marinara sauce to the skillet with the meatballs and let them simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the mozzarella cheese to melt inside. - Serve:
Once the meatballs are fully cooked and golden brown on the outside, remove them from the pan. Serve the meatballs with the marinara sauce on the side, or spoon the sauce over the meatballs. Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a leaner option, ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef.
- You can use frozen spinach, but make sure to thaw and drain it well to remove excess moisture.
- For a vegetarian option, you could substitute the meat with a plant-based protein or even use a mixture of lentils and breadcrumbs.
- These meatballs can be made ahead of time and frozen for later use. Just freeze them after they’ve been formed and before frying. When ready to cook, thaw and then fry as instructed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Pan-Frying, Baking (optional)
- Cuisine: Italian, American