Description
These Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella are a delicious and savory dish combining tender meatballs with fresh spinach, flavorful garlic, and gooey melted mozzarella in the center. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, they make an excellent appetizer or main course that’s both satisfying and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Filling
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Prepare ingredients: Finely chop the fresh spinach and mince the garlic cloves to infuse flavor. Cube the mozzarella cheese into small pieces for stuffing the meatballs.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped spinach, minced garlic, breadcrumbs (or almond flour), beaten eggs, milk, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to integrate all ingredients evenly.
- Form and stuff meatballs: Shape the mixture into 20 equal-sized balls. Stuff each meatball with a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center, then seal the meat tightly around the cheese to prevent leakage during cooking.
- Bake the meatballs: Place the stuffed meatballs on a greased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown on the outside. Alternatively, you can pan-fry them until browned and fully cooked.
Notes
- You can substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Ensure the mozzarella cubes are fully sealed inside the meatballs to avoid cheese oozing out while baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature; meatballs should reach 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.
- For a richer taste, try adding Italian seasoning or fresh herbs like basil or oregano to the meat mixture.
