Spinach Garlic Mozzarella Meatballs (Print)
Juicy meatballs with spinach and garlic, stuffed with melty mozzarella cheese centers and served in rich marinara sauce.
# Ingredients:
→ Spinach Mixture
01 -
8 ounces fresh baby spinach
02 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
03 -
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Meatballs
04 -
1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
05 -
1 pound ground pork
06 -
2¼ cups soft bread crumbs
07 -
3 large eggs (4 if using smaller eggs)
08 -
2 tablespoons milk
09 -
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
10 -
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
11 -
Salt to taste
12 -
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
13 -
2 tablespoons olive oil for frying
14 -
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 32 small cubes
→ Serving
15 -
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
16 -
Cooked pasta of your choice
# Steps:
01 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Add garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until aromatic. Remove from heat.
02 -
Transfer the cooked spinach-garlic mixture to a cutting board, chop into small pieces, and allow to cool completely.
03 -
Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat.
04 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, eggs, milk, chopped garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
05 -
Add the cooled spinach-garlic mixture to the meat mixture and fold in evenly.
06 -
Take about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture, flatten it in your palm, place a mozzarella cube in the center, and shape into a ball. Repeat to make approximately 32 meatballs.
07 -
Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides in batches if necessary, ensuring they are seared but not fully cooked through.
08 -
Add marinara sauce to the skillet, covering the meatballs. Cover the skillet with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
09 -
Serve the baked meatballs over cooked pasta with additional marinara sauce and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
These meatballs can be frozen uncooked for later use.
02 -
If the mixture feels too wet, add breadcrumbs one tablespoon at a time.
03 -
Enhance flavor by adding 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or fresh herbs.