Description
Juicy Italian-style meatballs with a surprise melty mozzarella center. Perfect served with marinara sauce over pasta or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8–10 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or 1 block mozzarella cut into cubes
For Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until combined (do not overmix).
- Take 2 tablespoons of meat mixture, flatten slightly, and place a mozzarella cube in the center. Wrap meat around cheese and roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides, about 5–6 minutes.
- Add marinara sauce to skillet, cover, and simmer 15–20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp 160°F / 71°C).
- Serve hot over spaghetti or as a party appetizer with extra sauce.
Notes
- For easier handling, chill mozzarella cubes before stuffing.
- Can be baked at 400°F (200°C) for 20–22 minutes instead of pan-frying.
- Freeze raw stuffed meatballs for up to 3 months; thaw before cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Appetizer
- Method: Pan-Fry & Simmer (or Bake)
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
