Description
These spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella are juicy, flavorful, and filled with gooey cheese inside. A cozy, comforting dinner idea that’s perfect for family meals, parties, or weeknight cravings.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (lean, for best results)
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
1 large egg
ÂĽ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & black pepper, to taste
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
2 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
Cook spinach & garlic: Heat a little olive oil in a skillet. Sauté spinach and garlic until spinach wilts, then cool slightly.
Mix meatball base: In a bowl, combine ground beef, spinach mixture, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
Form & stuff: Scoop meat mixture, flatten slightly, place a mozzarella cube in the center, then roll into a ball—sealing the cheese inside. Repeat.
Brown meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Brown meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to cook through yet).
Simmer in sauce: Transfer meatballs to a pot of marinara sauce. Cover and simmer 15–20 minutes, until cooked through and cheese is melted inside.
Serve & enjoy: Garnish with fresh basil or Parmesan and serve with pasta, bread, or on their own.
Notes
Use block mozzarella cut into cubes (shredded melts out too easily).
Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Make ahead: Shape and stuff meatballs, refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking.
Freeze uncooked meatballs on a tray, then bag—cook straight from frozen.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: ~140
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
