Oh my goodness, let me tell you about these spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella! They’re like little flavor bombs packed with goodness. The juicy ground beef, combined with fresh spinach and aromatic garlic, creates a mouthwatering blend that’s hard to resist. And the best part? Each meatball has a melty cube of mozzarella tucked inside, just waiting to burst with cheesy goodness when you take a bite. Trust me, the first time I made these, my kitchen smelled heavenly, and I couldn’t wait to dig in. They’re perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep for the week. Plus, they’re nutritious and satisfying, so you can feel good about indulging in them. Let’s dive into the recipe, shall we?
Ingredients List
- 1 pound ground beef – the star of the show, providing a hearty base for our meatballs.
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped – adds a vibrant pop of color and a boost of nutrition.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – for that essential aromatic punch that elevates the flavor.
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs – helps bind everything together, giving the meatballs a nice texture.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese – adds a salty, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the meat.
- 1 teaspoon salt – enhances all the flavors; don’t skip this!
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – for a subtle kick that rounds out the taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning – brings that classic herb blend to the party.
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed – the gooey surprise inside each meatball that melts beautifully.
- 1 egg, beaten – acts as a binder to hold all the ingredients together.
How to Prepare Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is super important because it ensures that your meatballs cook evenly and develop that lovely golden-brown crust on the outside. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than undercooked meatballs, so get that oven warming while you mix the ingredients!
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped spinach, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and the beaten egg. I like to use my hands here—it’s the best way to really combine everything without overmixing. You want a nice, cohesive mixture that holds together but isn’t too dense. Just mix until everything is well combined, and you’re ready to shape those meatballs!
Step 3: Form the Meatballs
Now comes the fun part—forming the meatballs! Take a small amount of the mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella right in the center, then carefully fold the meat around it, sealing it completely. This is key because you want that gooey mozzarella to stay inside, creating a delicious surprise when you bite into the meatball. Repeat this process until all your mixture is used up!
Step 4: Bake the Meatballs
Once your meatballs are shaped, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Pop them in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C). You’ll know they’re done when they’re beautifully browned and smell absolutely irresistible. Get ready for some serious cheesy goodness!
Nutritional Information
These delicious spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella are not just tasty—they’re pretty nutritious too! For a typical serving size of three meatballs, you’ll be looking at approximately 350 calories. They provide a good balance of macronutrients, with around 30 grams of protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied. You’ll also get about 20 grams of fat, with 8 grams being saturated fat. Plus, there are just 10 grams of carbs and 1 gram of sugar. Remember, these numbers are estimates, but they give you a great idea of how wholesome this meal can be!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nutritious: Packed with spinach and protein, these meatballs are a wholesome choice.
- Flavorful: The combination of garlic and melty mozzarella makes each bite a flavor explosion.
- Easy to Prepare: Simple steps mean you can whip these up in no time!
- Meal Prep Friendly: Perfect for making ahead and storing for quick meals during the week.
- Kid-Approved: Even picky eaters will love the cheesy surprise inside!
Tips for Success
To make sure your spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella turn out perfectly every time, here are my top tips! First, don’t be afraid to adjust the seasoning—taste the mixture before shaping the meatballs. You can add a little more salt or spices if you like. Also, be gentle when mixing to keep the meatballs tender. If you want extra flavor, consider adding some chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Finally, let them rest for a few minutes after baking; this helps the flavors meld and makes them even more delicious. Enjoy your cooking adventure!
FAQ Section
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef? Absolutely! Ground turkey works wonderfully in these spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella. Just keep in mind that turkey can be a little leaner, so you might want to add a bit more moisture, like an extra splash of olive oil.
What can I serve with these meatballs? These meatballs are perfect on their own, but I love serving them with marinara sauce for dipping or over a bed of pasta. They also make a fantastic addition to a sub sandwich topped with melted cheese!
Can I freeze the meatballs? Yes! These meatballs freeze beautifully. Just shape them and place them on a baking sheet to freeze before transferring to an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy, just bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
How do I know when the meatballs are done? The best way to check is by using a meat thermometer; they should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C). You can also cut one open to make sure it’s no longer pink inside.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To store your delicious spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, the best way to reheat is in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. This helps maintain their lovely texture and keeps that gooey mozzarella nice and melty. You can also microwave them, but be careful not to overdo it—nobody wants rubbery meatballs!
Check out this hearty meat dish for more delicious ideas!
Try these traditional dumplings as a side dish!
A comforting potato soup pairs wonderfully with these meatballs!
Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed with Mozzarella Magic
- Gesamtzeit: 50 minutes
- Ertrag: 4 servings 1x
- Ernährung: Low Fat
Beschreibung
Spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella are a delicious and nutritious dish. They combine the flavors of spinach, garlic, and cheese in a savory meatball.
Zutaten
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1 egg, beaten
Anweisungen
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, chopped spinach, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and beaten egg.
- Mix until well combined.
- Take a small amount of the mixture and flatten it in your palm.
- Place a cube of mozzarella in the center and form the meat around it, sealing it completely.
- Repeat until all mixture is used.
- Place meatballs on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.
Notes
- Adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 30 minutes
- Kategorie: Main Dish
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: Italian
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 3 meatballs
- Kalorien: 350
- Zucker: 1g
- Natrium: 600mg
- Fett: 20g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 8g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 10g
- Faser: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterin: 80mg
Keywords: spinach garlic meatballs stuffed with mozzarella
