Description
Delicious Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella, perfect for a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or beef + pork mix)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cubed mozzarella for stuffing)
- Extra shredded mozzarella (for topping, optional)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
- Melted butter or garlic butter drizzle (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted (1–2 minutes). Season with salt and remove from heat. Let cool slightly. Mix the cooked spinach with shredded mozzarella and set aside.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, and seasonings. Mix until well combined (do not overmix or the meatballs will be tough).
- Assemble the Stuffed Meatballs: Take a small handful of meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place about 1 teaspoon of the spinach-mozzarella filling in the center. Wrap the meat around the filling and roll gently into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Cook the Meatballs: Option 1 – Pan Fry: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Option 2 – Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Finish & Serve: Top hot meatballs with extra mozzarella and let melt slightly. Drizzle with garlic butter or olive oil. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use ground turkey instead of beef.
- These meatballs can be frozen before cooking for later use.
- Serve with pasta or a salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking or Pan Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg