Description
Savory spinach and mozzarella-stuffed meatballs bring Italian comfort to your dinner table. Juicy beef embraces melted cheese and fresh spinach, creating a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
main ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
binding and seasoning ingredients:
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) if baking. Meticulously chop the spinach and finely mince the garlic, preparing them for the culinary process.
- Warm of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until aromatic, approximately 1 minute. Add spinach and cook until completely wilted and moisture dissipates, roughly 3-4 minutes. Enhance with salt and pepper, then transfer to a plate for cooling.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, amalgamate ground beef, cooled spinach-garlic mixture, breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Gently fold ingredients to maintain meat’s tenderness, avoiding excessive manipulation.
- Craft uniform meatballs approximately the size of golf balls. Create a small cavity in each meatball’s center, strategically inserting a mozzarella cheese cube. Carefully seal the cheese completely within the meat mixture.
- Choose cooking method:
Oven Method: Position meatballs on a greased baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and interior reaches proper doneness.
Stovetop Method: Heat a thin oil layer in a skillet over medium-high temperature. Sear meatballs, rotating to achieve uniform browning. Reduce heat, cover, and continue cooking for 10 minutes until thoroughly cooked.
Notes
- Mozzarella Surprise: Melted cheese hidden inside each meatball creates an irresistible gooey center that bursts with flavor when you bite into it.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Choose between baking or pan-frying depending on your kitchen setup, time, and preference for crispy or tender texture.
- Spinach Power Boost: Adding fresh spinach packs these meatballs with extra nutrients, vibrant color, and a subtle earthy taste that complements the beef.
- Gentle Mixing Matters: Handle the meat mixture delicately to keep the meatballs tender and prevent them from becoming tough or dense.
- Perfect Portion Control: Golf ball-sized meatballs ensure even cooking and make for an ideal serving size that’s not too big or small.
- Cheese Sealing Technique: Completely enclosing the mozzarella prevents cheese from leaking out during cooking, maintaining a juicy and flavorful result.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking/Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg