Cheese Stuffed Meatballs are a delicious twist on the classic meatball, offering a gooey, melted cheese
center that surprises and delights with every bite. These meatballs can be served with pasta, as a
savory appetizer, or on their own with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. Here is a recipe for
making these delicious cheese-filled treats.
Ingredients:
FOR THE MEATBALLS:
• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
• 1/2 pound (225 g) ground pork (optional; you can use all the meat if you prefer)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/ 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heating)
FOR THE FILLING:
• 8 oz (225 g) mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
ADDITIONAL:
• Olive oil, for frying
• Your favorite marinara sauce, for service
Instructions:
1. Make Meatball Mixture:
o In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic,
beaten egg, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper. Flakes (if using). Mix
until well combined; Be careful not to over mix as this can make the meatballs tougher.
2. Form the meatballs:
o Take a small amount of the meat mixture and flatten it in the palm of your hand.Place a cube of
mozzarella in the center, wrap the meat around the cheese and roll it into a ball between your palms.
Make sure the cheese is completely surrounded by the meat. Repeat with remaining meat and cheese.
Depending on the size, you should get between 12 and 15 meatballs.
3.Fry the meatballs:
2,000°F Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add
the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the meatballs on all sides,
turning carefully. You don’t need to cook them completely at this point, just brown the outside. Once
the meatballs are golden brown, remove them from the pan and place them on a plate.
4. Simmer in marinara sauce:
°C. Pour your favorite marinara sauce into the pan where you will fry the meatballs.
Bring the sauce to a boil and then add the meatballs back to the pan. Cover and simmer for about 20
to 25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
5.Serve:
° Serve the cheese-stuffed meatballs hot, with additional marinara sauce on top. They can be served
alone, with pasta, or with crusty bread for dipping in the sauce.
Tips:
Cheese Options: While mozzarella is a popular choice for its melting properties, you can experiment
with other cheeses such as Cheddar, Pepper Jack or Gouda for other flavors.
• Serving Tip: When serving pasta, consider cooking the pasta while the meatballs simmer in the
marinara sauce so everything is ready at the same time.
• Make Ahead: These meatballs can be formed and refrigerated for a few hours before cooking,
making them a great make-ahead option for dinner parties or busy weeknights.Enjoy delicious
homemade cheese-filled meatballs, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that elevates the traditional meatball