Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella Recipe
Delicious and savory spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese, perfect as a comforting appetizer or a hearty main dish. These meatballs feature a combination of ground beef and fresh spinach, infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, offering a flavorful twist to classic meatballs.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 16 meatballs) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Filling
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
For Cooking
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped spinach, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until just combined, being careful not to over-mix to maintain tender meatballs.
- Stuff with Mozzarella: Take about 1-2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center, then carefully wrap the meat around it, sealing it completely. Roll into a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture and cheese cubes.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Cook each side for about 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs warm with marinara sauce for dipping or over pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the mozzarella cubes are fully sealed inside the meatballs to prevent cheese from leaking out while cooking.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach, just be sure to thaw and drain it well.
- For a lighter option, use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork.
- These meatballs freeze well; store cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Serve with your choice of marinara sauce or a light garlic butter sauce for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (about 150g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: spinach meatballs, garlic meatballs, mozzarella stuffed meatballs, Italian meatballs, easy meatball recipe