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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare Spinach Base: Sauté spinach in olive oil over medium heat, incorporating minced garlic until fragrant. Finely chop and cool the spinach mixture completely.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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