Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Meatballs

Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Meatballs Recipe

Table of Contents

These cheese and spinach stuffed meatballs are a delicious twist on traditional meatballs. They’re filled with a creamy cheesy mixture of spinach and mozzarella making them incredibly moist and flavorful. The combination of savory beef or pork melted cheese and nutritious spinach will quickly become a family favorite!

Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Total Time: 45-50 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef (or pork or a mix of both)

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

2 garlic cloves minced

1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

1 tsp dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

Olive oil (for frying)

For the Filling:

1 cup fresh spinach chopped (or 1/2 cup frozen spinach thawed and drained)

4 oz mozzarella cheese shredded

2 tbsp ricotta cheese (optional for creamier filling)

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce (Optional):

2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl combine the chopped spinach mozzarella ricotta (if using) garlic powder salt and pepper. Mix well until combined. Set aside.

Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl combine the ground meat breadcrumbs Parmesan egg minced garlic parsley oregano salt and pepper. Mix gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix or the meatballs will be tough.

Form the Meatballs: Take a tablespoon of the meat mixture and flatten it slightly in the palm of your hand. Place a teaspoon of the spinach and cheese filling in the center then carefully fold the edges of the meat mixture over the filling and roll it into a ball. Repeat until all the mixture and filling are used.

Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot carefully add the meatballs cooking them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides about 6-8 minutes. Then lower the heat cover the skillet and let the meatballs cook for another 10-12 minutes ensuring they are fully cooked through.

Optional Step – Simmer in Sauce: If you’d like to add extra flavor pour marinara sauce into the skillet after the meatballs are cooked covering them in sauce. Simmer for another 10 minutes allowing the flavors to meld together.

Serve: Serve the meatballs hot either with the sauce over pasta or alongside a side of vegetables.

Tips:

Freezing: These meatballs freeze well. To freeze place the uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet in a single layer then freeze for 1-2 hours before transferring to a freezer bag. You can cook them directly from frozen just increase the cooking time.

Substitute Ground Meat: Feel free to use a combination of ground beef pork chicken or turkey for the meatballs.

Spinach Tips: If using frozen spinach make sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible to prevent soggy meatballs.

Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses in the filling such as cheddar gouda or provolone for a unique flavor.

Nutrition (per serving approx.):

Calories: 280 kcal

Protein: 24g

Carbohydrates: 4g

Fat: 20g

Fiber: 1g

Sodium: 500mg

These nutrition values are approximate and will vary depending on your specific ingredients and serving sizes.

To conclude these Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Meatballs are a perfect blend of savory flavors and textures. The crispy golden-brown exterior contrasts beautifully with the tender juicy interior filled with creamy cheese and fresh spinach. Whether served over pasta in a sub sandwich or on their own these meatballs make for a satisfying and hearty meal. They’re easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite cheese or seasonings. Plus they make excellent leftovers keeping their flavor and moisture. Enjoy a delicious comforting dish that’s sure to be a hit with family and friends!