Here’s a juicy, flavorful Stuffed Meatballs recipe—tender on the outside with a melty surprise inside 🧀🍖
🍖 Stuffed Meatballs
🧾 Ingredients (makes ~12 meatballs)
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
For the filling:
- 12 small cubes of mozzarella cheese (about ½ inch each)
For cooking:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the meat mixture
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Mix gently until just combined (don’t overmix).
2. Stuff the meatballs
- Take a small portion of meat mixture and flatten it in your hand.
- Place a cube of mozzarella in the center.
- Wrap the meat around the cheese and roll into a ball, sealing well.
- Repeat with remaining mixture.
3. Brown the meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Brown meatballs on all sides (about 5–7 minutes total).
4. Simmer in sauce
- Add marinara sauce to the skillet.
- Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
5. Serve
- Serve hot over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs.
💡 Tips
- Seal well: Make sure the cheese is fully covered so it doesn’t leak out.
- Juicy texture: Don’t overmix the meat mixture.
- Extra flavor: Add a splash of milk to the mixture for softer meatballs.
🍽️ Variations
- Spicy stuffed meatballs: Add chili flakes to the mixture.
- Cheese swap: Use cheddar, provolone, or even cream cheese for different flavors.
- Baked version: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes instead of frying.
If you want, I can give a one-pan baked stuffed meatballs recipe that’s easier and less messy but still super juicy and cheesy 🍖🧀🔥.
