Description
These meatballs combine fresh spinach and garlic blended into juicy ground meat, stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese for a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s quick and easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or beef-pork mix
- 1 cup (30g) fresh spinach, finely chopped and sautéed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 ounces (170g) shredded mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup (60g) breadcrumbs, plain or Italian seasoned
- 1/4 cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk, whole or 2%
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing and cooking
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Squeeze out excess moisture with a kitchen towel.
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, sautéed spinach and garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, milk, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning if using. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs about 2 tablespoons (30g) each. Flatten slightly, place a cube of mozzarella in the center, then fold and roll meat around the cheese to seal completely.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden but not fully cooked.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer browned meatballs to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until cooked through and cheese is melted.
- Let meatballs rest for a couple of minutes before serving to allow cheese to settle.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender. Brown meatballs before baking for better flavor and texture. Seal mozzarella cubes well to prevent leaking. If mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs. Rest meatballs after cooking to keep cheese inside.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 meatballs pe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: spinach meatballs, garlic meatballs, mozzarella stuffed meatballs, easy meatballs, Italian meatballs, cheesy meatballs, quick dinner, family meal