🧀🍝 Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
Juicy, herby meatballs with a gooey melted mozzarella center—crispy on the outside, cheesy in the middle, and perfect for pasta, subs, or appetizers.
🛒 Ingredients:
🥩 Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or beef + pork mix)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp milk
🧀 Filling:
- 8–12 small mozzarella cubes (or mini mozzarella balls)
🍅 For serving (optional):
- Marinara sauce
- Fresh basil
- Extra Parmesan
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Make meat mixture
In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, milk, and seasonings.
Mix gently—don’t overwork or meatballs will be tough.
2. Stuff the meatballs
Take a small amount of mixture, flatten it in your hand.
Place a mozzarella cube in the center and seal tightly into a ball.
Repeat until all meat is used.
3. Cook (choose method):
🔥 Oven (easy + juicy)
- Preheat to 400°F (200°C)
- Place meatballs on baking sheet
- Bake 18–22 minutes until browned and cooked through
🍳 Pan-seared (extra flavor)
- Brown meatballs in skillet
- Finish cooking covered for even heat
🍝 Air fryer (crispy outside)
- Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10–14 minutes
4. Optional sauce finish
Simmer cooked meatballs in warm marinara sauce for 5–10 minutes for extra flavor.
🍽️ Serve with:
- Spaghetti 🍝
- Garlic bread 🥖
- Sub sandwiches 🥪
- Salad 🥗
🔥 Flavor profile:
- 🧀 Melty mozzarella center
- 🥩 Juicy, seasoned meat
- 🍅 Rich tomato sauce pairing
- 🌿 Italian herbs & garlic aroma
- 🔥 Crispy browned exterior
🔄 Variations:
- 🌶️ Spicy jalapeño mozzarella meatballs
- 🧄 Garlic butter stuffed version
- 🥓 Bacon-wrapped meatballs
- 🍄 Mushroom & cheese stuffed version
- 🧀 Triple cheese (mozzarella + cheddar + parmesan)
💡 Tips:
- Seal tightly so cheese doesn’t leak out
- Chill meatballs 10–15 min before cooking for better shape
- Don’t overcook or cheese will escape
- Small mozzarella cubes melt better than large chunks
If you want, I can also give you a slow cooker marinara meatball version, baked meatball sub recipe, or party appetizer skewers idea.