🍝🧀✨ Stuffed Meatballs with Mozzarella Cheese – Juicy, Cheesy, and Irresistibly Delicious!

🎉 Introduction

If you love classic Italian comfort food but want to take it to the next level, these Stuffed Meatballs with Mozzarella Cheese are the ultimate upgrade. 🤌✨

Picture this: juicy, tender meatballs seasoned to perfection, with a melty mozzarella center that stretches with every bite. Each meatball is seared to perfection, then simmered in rich tomato sauce for an irresistible flavor explosion. 🍅🧀

Perfect for pasta dinners, subs, or even as an appetizer, these cheesy meatballs are the kind of dish that gets everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re hosting guests or treating yourself, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality comfort right at home! 💛

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Frying pan or skillet
• Baking dish or casserole dish
• Tongs or spoon
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons

🛒 Ingredients

For 4–6 Servings (12 Meatballs):

• 1 lb ground beef (or ½ beef + ½ pork for richer flavor)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 12 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or 1 cup cubed mozzarella 🧀
• 2 Tbsp olive oil (for searing)
• 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce 🍅
• Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

👩‍🍳 Directions

1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture

• In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and milk.
• Mix gently until well combined — don’t overmix or the meatballs will be tough.

2. Form and Stuff the Meatballs

• Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions.
• Flatten each portion in your hand and place a mozzarella ball (or cube) in the center.
• Gently wrap the meat around the cheese, sealing the edges completely.

3. Sear the Meatballs

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the stuffed meatballs and sear on all sides until golden brown (about 5 minutes total).
• Remove and set aside — they don’t need to be fully cooked yet.

4. Simmer in Sauce

• Pour marinara sauce into a baking dish or the same skillet.
• Nestle the seared meatballs into the sauce.
• Cover and simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes, or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and cheese inside is melted.

5. Serve & Enjoy

• Spoon sauce over each meatball and garnish with chopped parsley or basil.
• Serve over spaghetti, inside sub rolls, or as a cheesy appetizer! 🍝✨

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: ~40 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs (in sauce) for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of sauce to keep them juicy.

🥄 Variations

• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños for heat. 🌶️
• Cheese Explosion: Mix shredded mozzarella and Parmesan into the meat mixture for extra cheesiness. 🧀
• Chicken or Turkey Version: Use ground chicken or turkey for a lighter twist. 🐔
• Herb Lovers: Add fresh basil, oregano, or parsley to the mix for more flavor depth. 🌿
• Stuffed Meatball Subs: Serve inside toasted rolls with melted provolone and extra marinara. 🥖

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use shredded mozzarella instead of cubes?
   Yes — just press a small clump together before stuffing.
2. Can I bake instead of pan-sear?
   Absolutely — bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, then simmer in sauce.
3. Can I make them ahead?
   Yes — form and refrigerate raw meatballs up to 24 hours before cooking.
4. How do I keep the cheese from leaking out?
   Make sure the meat is sealed tightly around the mozzarella.
5. Can I use store-bought sauce?
   Definitely! Choose a quality marinara or make your own.
6. What pasta pairs best with these meatballs?
   Spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne — they all soak up the sauce beautifully. 🍝
7. Can I make them gluten-free?
   Yes — use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
8. Can I use plant-based meat?
   Absolutely — they’ll still be cheesy and delicious! 🌱
9. Can I freeze them raw?
   Yes — freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw before cooking.
10. What’s the best cheese for stuffing?
    Mozzarella melts best, but provolone or fontina also work wonderfully.

🏁 Conclusion

These Stuffed Meatballs with Mozzarella Cheese are the definition of comfort food done right — juicy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. 🍝🧀✨

They’re simple to make, yet impressive enough for a dinner party or date night. Each bite reveals a molten core of melted cheese wrapped in perfectly seasoned meat and smothered in rich tomato sauce — pure bliss! ❤️

Serve them over pasta, in subs, or on their own — however you enjoy them, these stuffed meatballs will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds!).

🍝🧀✨ Stuffed Meatballs with Mozzarella Cheese – Juicy, Cheesy, and Irresistibly Delicious!

If you love classic Italian comfort food but want to take it to the next level, these Stuffed Meatballs with Mozzarella Cheese are the ultimate upgrade. 🤌✨ Picture this: juicy, tender meatballs seasoned to perfection, with a melty mozzarella center that stretches with every bite. Each meatball is seared to perfection, then simmered in rich tomato sauce for an irresistible flavor explosion. 🍅🧀 Perfect for pasta dinners, subs, or even as an appetizer, these cheesy meatballs are the kind of dish that gets everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re hosting guests or treating yourself, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality comfort right at home! 💛

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

For 4–6 Servings (12 Meatballs):

• 1 lb ground beef or ½ beef + ½ pork for richer flavor
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 12 small mozzarella balls bocconcini or 1 cup cubed mozzarella 🧀
• 2 Tbsp olive oil for searing
• 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce 🍅
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️

Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Frying pan or skillet
• Baking dish or casserole dish
• Tongs or spoon
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons

Method

 

Prepare the Meatball Mixture

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and milk.
2. Mix gently until well combined — don’t overmix or the meatballs will be tough.

Form and Stuff the Meatballs

1. Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions.
2. Flatten each portion in your hand and place a mozzarella ball (or cube) in the center.
3. Gently wrap the meat around the cheese, sealing the edges completely.

Sear the Meatballs

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the stuffed meatballs and sear on all sides until golden brown (about 5 minutes total).
3. Remove and set aside — they don’t need to be fully cooked yet.

Simmer in Sauce

1. Pour marinara sauce into a baking dish or the same skillet.
2. Nestle the seared meatballs into the sauce.
3. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes, or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and cheese inside is melted.

Serve & Enjoy

1. Spoon sauce over each meatball and garnish with chopped parsley or basil.
2. Serve over spaghetti, inside sub rolls, or as a cheesy appetizer! 🍝✨

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs (in sauce) for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of sauce to keep them juicy.

🥄 Variations

Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños for heat. 🌶️

Cheese Explosion: Mix shredded mozzarella and Parmesan into the meat mixture for extra cheesiness. 🧀

Chicken or Turkey Version: Use ground chicken or turkey for a lighter twist. 🐔

Herb Lovers: Add fresh basil, oregano, or parsley to the mix for more flavor depth. 🌿

Stuffed Meatball Subs: Serve inside toasted rolls with melted provolone and extra marinara. 🥖

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use shredded mozzarella instead of cubes?
Yes — just press a small clump together before stuffing.

Can I bake instead of pan-sear?
Absolutely — bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, then simmer in sauce.

Can I make them ahead?
Yes — form and refrigerate raw meatballs up to 24 hours before cooking.

How do I keep the cheese from leaking out?
Make sure the meat is sealed tightly around the mozzarella.

Can I use store-bought sauce?
Definitely! Choose a quality marinara or make your own.

What pasta pairs best with these meatballs?
Spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne — they all soak up the sauce beautifully. 🍝

Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Can I use plant-based meat?
Absolutely — they’ll still be cheesy and delicious! 🌱

Can I freeze them raw?
Yes — freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw before cooking.

What’s the best cheese for stuffing?
Mozzarella melts best, but provolone or fontina also work wonderfully.

🏁 Conclusion

These Stuffed Meatballs with Mozzarella Cheese are the definition of comfort food done right — juicy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. 🍝🧀✨

They’re simple to make, yet impressive enough for a dinner party or date night. Each bite reveals a molten core of melted cheese wrapped in perfectly seasoned meat and smothered in rich tomato sauce — pure bliss! ❤️

Serve them over pasta, in subs, or on their own — however you enjoy them, these stuffed meatballs will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds!).