Description
These juicy meatballs are packed with spinach and garlic, then stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese for a delicious twist on a classic dish. Perfect served over pasta or as an appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped spinach, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Mix until just combined.
- Take a small portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella in the center, then fold the meat around it to form a ball, ensuring the cheese is fully enclosed. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover skillet, and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping or over pasta.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For a lighter version, use ground turkey and bake the meatballs at 400°F for 15-20 minutes instead of frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Main
- Cuisine: Italian-American