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Spinach and Garlic Stuffed Meatballs with Mozzarella Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 120 reviews

These Spinach Garlic Meatballs combine ground beef or turkey with fresh sautéed spinach, garlic, and gooey mozzarella cubes for a flavorful, juicy twist on classic meatballs. They’re seasoned with Italian herbs and Parmesan, offering a delicious balance of savory and fresh flavors. Perfect for baking or pan-searing, these meatballs make a comforting main dish that can be served on their own or simmered in marinara sauce for extra richness.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Mixture

  • 1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey (lean turkey can be used as a substitute)
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach (sautéed)
  • 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 small Onion (optional, finely chopped)
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs (or substitute with oats or almond flour)
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley (for freshness)

Filling

  • 8 oz Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cubes (chilled to prevent leaking)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Spinach and Garlic: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the fresh spinach and minced garlic together until the spinach is wilted and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Once cooled, finely chop the mixture to evenly distribute in the meatballs.
  2. Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and the cooled chopped spinach and garlic. Stir gently until all ingredients are just mixed, being careful not to overwork the meat for tender meatballs.
  3. Form Meatballs with Mozzarella Filling: Take a portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your hand. Place a chilled mozzarella cube in the center and carefully wrap the meat around the cheese, sealing it completely to form a meatball. Repeat this process until all the meat mixture and cheese cubes are used.
  4. Cook the Meatballs: Choose your preferred cooking method—either bake the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or pan-sear them in oil over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
  5. Optional Marinara Simmer: For enhanced flavor, transfer the cooked meatballs to a warm skillet with marinara sauce and simmer gently for 5-10 minutes. This step adds moisture and a rich tomato flavor.
  6. Rest and Serve: Let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes after cooking to retain juiciness and ensure the cheese filling stays melted inside. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Chilling the mozzarella cubes before stuffing helps prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
  • You can substitute ground beef with lean turkey for a lighter option.
  • If avoiding gluten, use almond flour or oats instead of traditional breadcrumbs.
  • Simmering in marinara sauce is optional but adds extra moisture and flavor.
  • Make sure to seal the meatballs entirely around the cheese to avoid it melting out during cooking.
  • For a spicier kick, adjust the red pepper flakes to taste.

Keywords: Spinach meatballs, garlic meatballs, mozzarella stuffed meatballs, Italian meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef meatballs, healthy meatball recipe

Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/spinach-and-garlic-stuffed-meatballs-with-mozzarella-recipe/