Description
Juicy and flavorful meatballs packed with spinach and garlic, with a gooey mozzarella center. Perfect for a hearty main course or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, chopped spinach, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Mix until just combined.
- Take about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella in the center, then wrap the meat around it, forming a ball. Ensure the cheese is completely enclosed.
- Repeat with remaining mixture and mozzarella cubes. You should get about 12-14 meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and sear on all sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature reaches 160°F/71°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite marinara sauce or as desired.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken. Ensure the mozzarella is well sealed inside to prevent leakage during cooking.