What’s even better than a perfectly seasoned, perfectly browned meatball? A perfectly seasoned, perfectly browned stuffed meatball, served in a zesty, rich homemade marinara sauce, of course!
My Italian great-grandmother would be proud. This recipe puts even the most delicious of regular meatballs to shame. That’s right, these meatballs are stuffed. Stuffed with what you might ask? Mozzarella cheese, of course, and lots of it.
If that wasn’t delicious enough, we’re also making our marinara sauce from scratch with bright, whole ingredients fresh from the garden. Sure, you could use sauce right out of the jar, but that’s boring, honestly. No offense.
Plus, once you see how easy it is to make homemade marinara sauce, and how delicious it tastes while being better for you than most store-bought varieties, you’ll never go back.
These meatballs are packed with flavor and ooey-gooey melted cheese in the center, all surrounded by a rich and savory tomato sauce. Tender and perfectly cooked, this recipe blends hearty meats with Italian spices and a tasty blend of cheeses that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates. Serve with pasta, on an Italian sub, as an appetizer, or as a standalone dish for a mouthwatering meal that will leave you feeling satisfied and content.
Notes:
This recipe for Melty Marinara Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs with Homemade Marinara Sauce will make approximately 4-6 servings, depending on appetites and whether or not you serve it with a side like pasta or veggies.
If you do have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to ensure that the meatballs stay moist and flavorful, store them in the marinara sauce.
To reheat, you can either microwave them until heated through or transfer them to a skillet and heat them over medium heat until the meatballs are heated through and the cheese is melted again.
Full Recipe
Ready for an ooey-gooey, melt-in-your-mouth dinner that your family will be asking for again and again? Let’s get cookin’.
Melty Marinara Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 lb. ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the marinara sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 16- ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon fresh or dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Make the meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine the beef, pork, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Grab a golf ball-size portion of the meat mixture and shape it into a ball. Press a small indentation in the center of the meatball with your thumb and place a pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese into the indentation. Roll the meatball to completely enclose the cheese in the center. Repeat the process with the remaining meat mixture to form the rest of the meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned all around. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the marinara sauce: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan and stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Allow the sauce to cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened slightly.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet with the marinara sauce and spoon the sauce over the meatballs.
- Cover the skillet and allow the meatballs to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil and serve hot, with pasta of your choice.
- Enjoy your Melty Marinara Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs with Homemade Marinara Sauce!
Notes
- Meatball Variations: You can customize these meatballs by using a different combination of ground meats. Try beef and veal or beef and sausage for a unique flavor.
- Cheese Choices: While mozzarella is classic, you can experiment with other cheese fillings like cheddar, provolone, or even blue cheese for a bold twist.
- Baking Option: If you prefer a healthier cooking method, you can bake these meatballs in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes or until they’re cooked through.
- Sauce Consistency: Adjust the marinara sauce’s thickness by simmering it longer for a thicker sauce or adding a bit of water to thin it out, depending on your preference.
- Serving Suggestions: Aside from pasta, these meatballs are excellent for making meatball subs, serving with rice, or enjoying on their own as appetizers.
- Freezing: If you have leftover meatballs, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, gently warm them in the microwave or on the stovetop in marinara sauce until they’re heated through.
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out by liking this post or leaving a comment below!
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