Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs (Printable Recipe)
Juicy meatballs with gooey mozzarella inside, simmered in marinara. Weeknight comfort food made easy.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Meatball mixture
01 -
1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend
02 -
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 -
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
04 -
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
05 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
07 -
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 -
1 large egg
→ Filling and sauce
09 -
4 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
10 -
2 cups marinara sauce
11 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and egg. Mix thoroughly by hand until evenly incorporated.
02 -
Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions. Flatten each portion in your palm to create a disc.
03 -
Place one cube of mozzarella in the center of each meat disc. Fold the meat around the cheese and roll into a sealed ball, ensuring no cheese is exposed.
04 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes total. Handle gently to avoid breakage.
05 -
Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the meatballs. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and flavors to meld.
06 -
Let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving to avoid burns from the hot cheese center.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Use cold mozzarella cubes to reduce leakage during cooking.
02 -
The mixture may feel wet at first but firms up during cooking.
03 -
Fully sealing the cheese inside the meat is essential to prevent bursting.