Juicy Mozzarella-Stuffed Spinach Garlic Meatballs Recipe

Juicy meatballs packed with rich spinach garlic flavor burst with melted mozzarella in every delectable bite.

These tender spheres of savory goodness promise a mouthwatering meal that combines classic comfort with gourmet flair.

Ground meat mingles seamlessly with fresh herbs and aromatic garlic, creating a perfectly balanced blend.

spinach adds a nutritious punch and vibrant green color to these irresistible protein-packed gems.

mozzarella provides a surprise molten center that oozes with creamy, cheesy delight when you cut into each meatball.

Each carefully crafted morsel delivers a symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

Serve these impressive meatballs over pasta, alongside a crisp salad, or enjoy them as a hearty appetizer that’s sure to impress.

What Goes Inside Spinach Garlic Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

• Baby Spinach: Adds vibrant color, nutrition, and earthy flavor to the meatballs, selecting crisp, bright green leaves without wilting.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, aromatic punch that elevates the entire dish's depth and complexity, choosing firm, plump cloves with no green sprouts.

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Creates rich, juicy meatball texture with perfect balance of lean and fat, selecting freshly ground meat with good marbling.
• Bread Crumbs: Provides essential structure and moisture retention, ensuring tender meatballs that won't fall apart.
• Eggs: Acts as natural binder that holds ingredients together, selecting fresh, room temperature eggs for better mixing.
• Milk: Softens bread crumbs and adds subtle creaminess to meatball mixture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, salty note that enhances overall meat flavor, choosing freshly grated for best taste.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds smooth, fruity undertone during cooking.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creates gooey, molten center surprise when melted inside meatballs, selecting low-moisture variety for best results.
• Rao's Marinara Sauce: Provides classic, authentic tomato base with balanced seasoning, known for restaurant-quality taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that amplify and balance all other ingredients' flavors.

Kitchen Tools That Help You Shape and Fill with Ease

• Cast Iron Skillet: Heavy-duty pan perfect for searing and baking meatballs with even heat distribution.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining ground meats, herbs, and seasonings thoroughly.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping spinach and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for finely chopping spinach and precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for mixing meatball ingredients and stirring in skillet.
• Meat Thermometer: Crucial tool to check meatballs reach safe internal temperature of 165°F.
• Aluminum Foil: Needed to cover skillet during baking process.

How to Make These Cheesy Spinach Meatballs from Scratch

• Leafy Green Prep

Sizzle olive oil in a skillet and transform fresh spinach into a tender, wilted delight. Dance minced garlic through the greens, creating an aromatic base. Chop the cooled spinach into tiny whispers.

• Meat Mixture Magic

Gather ground beef and pork in a mixing bowl. Introduce breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, grated Parmesan, and your perfectly chopped spinach. Season with salt and pepper, blending everything into a harmonious mixture that speaks comfort.

• Cheesy Center Surprise

Craft palm-sized spheres with tender hands, tucking a secret mozzarella cube into each meaty heart. Gently sear these treasures in a cast iron skillet until they develop a golden, crispy exterior.

• Oven Embrace

Lavish the skillet with marinara sauce, then tuck the meatballs into a warm 350°F oven. Let them nestle and cook for about 25 minutes until they reach perfect doneness.

• Delicious Finale

Serve these juicy spheres atop your favorite pasta, allowing the marinara to cascade around them like a loving sauce.

Flavor Upgrades and Cooking Tips for Juicy Results

• Create extra-gooey meatballs by slightly freezing mozzarella cubes before stuffing, helping them stay intact during cooking.
• Swap ground pork with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the same delicious flavor profile.
• Enhance the meatball mixture by adding fresh chopped herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano for an aromatic Mediterranean touch.
• Experiment with adding red pepper flakes or cayenne to the meat mixture for those who enjoy a subtle kick of heat in their meal.
• Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.

Ways to Serve These Stuffed Meatballs with Style

• Pasta Paradise Plating: Serve these juicy meatballs over a bed of al dente spaghetti or linguine, letting the marinara sauce drizzle deliciously between each bite.
• Cheesy Companion Combo: Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil on top for a burst of flavor that elevates the entire dish to restaurant-quality deliciousness.
• Salad Side Kick: Pair the meatballs with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, savory flavors and add a refreshing contrast to the meal.
• Garlic Bread Delight: Serve alongside warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up the extra marinara sauce and provide a perfect crunchy complement to the tender meatballs.

Storage Advice to Keep These Meatballs Ready for Reheating

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooked meatballs in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated meatballs stay fresh for 3-4 days, maintaining delicious flavor and texture when sealed properly.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual meatballs in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen meatballs remain tasty for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm meatballs in microwave for 1-2 minutes or bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Add extra marinara sauce to prevent drying out and maintain juicy consistency.
• Meal Prep Brilliance: Prepare meatball mixture in advance and store raw mixture in refrigerator for 24 hours. Cook just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and optimal flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

Juicy Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella Recipe

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• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella combine hearty flavors from classic Italian cuisine. Savory herbs, fresh ingredients, and melted cheese create a delightful dish you’ll crave at every meal.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
• 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground pork
• 3 large eggs (4 if small)
• 8 oz (226 g) baby spinach, fresh
• 2.25 cups bread crumbs
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
• 7 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• Splash of milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 jar Rao’s marinara sauce

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Instructions

1. Prepare Spinach Base: Sauté spinach in olive oil over medium heat, incorporating minced garlic until fragrant. Finely chop and cool the spinach mixture completely.
2. Craft Meatball Mixture: Blend ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, whole milk, Parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and cooled spinach in a large bowl. Mix until ingredients are uniformly distributed, creating a cohesive blend.
3. Form and Stuff Meatballs: Shape meat mixture into uniform spheres, strategically embedding a mozzarella cube at the center of each meatball. Ensure cheese is fully encapsulated within the meat.
4. Sear and Sauce: Brown meatballs in a hot cast iron skillet with vegetable oil, developing a crisp golden exterior. Surround with marinara sauce, partially submerging the meatballs.
5. Bake and Finish: Cover skillet with aluminum foil and transfer to a 350°F (175°C) oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Rest for 3-5 minutes before serving over pasta with additional marinara sauce.

Notes

• Chill Spinach Mixture: Cool chopped spinach completely to prevent moisture from making meatballs soggy and ensure better binding.
• Seal Cheese Carefully: Completely encase mozzarella cubes inside meatballs to prevent cheese leakage during cooking.
• Check Meat Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption and perfectly cooked meatballs.
• Brown Before Baking: Sear meatballs in a hot skillet to develop a golden crispy exterior, which locks in flavor and creates an appealing texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg