Stuffed Meatballs with Mozzarella Cheese
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Tender, savory meatballs with gooey mozzarella centers. Made with ground beef and pork for restaurant-quality results in 30 minutes.
- Author: Sarah Mae Carter
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-fry, Simmer
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl, let sit for 5 minutes until soft.
- Add ground beef, pork, egg, Parmesan, garlic, onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with clean hands until just combined.
- Refrigerate meat mixture for 30 minutes to help meatballs hold their shape.
- Cut mozzarella into 1-inch cubes and dust lightly with flour to prevent leaking.
- Take 2 tablespoons of meat mixture, flatten in palm, place cheese cube in center, and wrap meat around completely. Roll into smooth balls.
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs on all sides for 6-8 minutes total, working in batches.
- Add marinara sauce around meatballs, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor and moisture. Don’t overmix to avoid tough meatballs.
- Dust mozzarella cubes with flour to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
- Can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg