Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
Indulge in the savory delight of Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs, a culinary masterpiece that brings together the richness of ground beef, the gooey goodness of mozzarella, and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. This article will guide you through the step-by-step process, ensuring your journey to create these delectable meatballs is not only enjoyable but also successful.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ingredients:
Ingredients | Quantity |
---|---|
Small onion, grated | 1 |
Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped | 1/2 cup |
Grated Parmesan Cheese | 2/3 cup |
Italian bread crumbs | 1/3 cup |
Large egg | 1 |
Marinara sauce | 2 tablespoons + 1/3 cup |
Garlic cloves, minced | 3 |
Crushed red pepper flakes | A pinch |
Salt and pepper | To taste |
Ground beef | 1 package (1.5-2lbs) |
Mozzarella cheese (1/2 inch cubes) | 16 |
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees and place the rack in the lower 1/3.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the grated onion, chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, Italian bread crumbs, egg, 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Add Ground Beef: Once mixed, add the ground beef to the bowl. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly.
- Shape Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 16 meatballs. Ensure they are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- Insert Mozzarella: Make a hole in the center of each meatball and place a cube of mozzarella inside. Reform the meatball to fully conceal the cheese.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spoon 1/3 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of a baking dish.
- Arrange Meatballs: Place the meatballs in the baking dish. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Enjoy: Once done, take them out, and savor the delightful Baked Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs!