Description
Juicy and flavorful meatballs made with ground beef, spinach, and garlic, stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfectly baked or pan-fried for a hearty meal full of Italian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 8 oz (225g) mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat olive oil in a large skillet if pan-frying.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped spinach, garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined.
- Take a small portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your hand. Place a cube of mozzarella in the center and wrap the meat around it to form a ball.
- Repeat with the remaining mixture and cheese until all meatballs are formed.
- Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or cook in a skillet until browned on all sides.
- If baking, bake for 18–20 minutes, or until cooked through and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce, pasta, or on their own as appetizers.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or a mix of beef and pork for extra flavor.
- Make sure to seal the meatballs well to prevent cheese from leaking out.
- Can be made ahead and frozen before cooking.
- Pair with spaghetti or serve in a sub sandwich for a hearty meal.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked or Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: Italian