– 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef, pork, or turkey)
– 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 egg
– ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for stuffing)
– 1 jar marinara sauce (for serving)
– Olive oil (for cooking)
Creating Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella can be a straightforward process if you follow these simple steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Spinach: In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped spinach and minced garlic, sautéing until spinach is wilted and the garlic is fragrant. Set aside to cool.
3. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, cooled spinach and garlic mixture, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined.
4. Form the Meatballs: With wet hands, take a portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a spoonful of mozzarella in the center and wrap the meat around the cheese, rolling it into a ball. Place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
5. Bake the Meatballs: Drizzle the meatballs lightly with olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through and golden.
6. Heat the Marinara Sauce: While the meatballs are baking, heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.
7. Serve: Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving them with marinara sauce.
Follow these steps, and you will have a delicious serving of Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella ready to impress anyone at your dinner table.