Description
Delicious meatballs stuffed with mozzarella and spinach for a delightful twist on a classic dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup spinach, cooked and drained
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach and mozzarella cheese. Mix well and set aside.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Form the Meatballs: Take a small portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a small amount of the spinach and cheese mixture in the center, then fold the meat around it, forming a ball. Ensure the filling is fully enclosed. Repeat with the remaining meat and filling.
- Cook the Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and sear on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the seared meatballs to a baking dish.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, try to make all the meatballs the same size.
- Use a meat thermometer to check if the meatballs are thoroughly cooked (internal temperature of 160°F or 71°C).
- For added flavor, you can incorporate a dash of red pepper flakes into the meatball mixture.
- Serve with marinara sauce or spaghetti for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg