Description
These Spinach Garlic Meatballs Stuffed With Mozzarella are savory, cheesy, and loaded with flavor. With tender beef and pork, garlicky sautéed spinach, and a gooey mozzarella center, they’re simmered in marinara sauce for the perfect comforting meal.
Ingredients
8 ounces fresh baby spinach
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1–2 tablespoons olive oil (for spinach)
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
2 ¼ cups bread crumbs
3 to 4 eggs (depending on size)
Splash of milk
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (for meat mixture)
½ cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
Mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
1 jar Rao’s marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat 1–2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and sauté until wilted. Stir in 3 cloves finely chopped garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat, chop finely, and let cool.
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, eggs, splash of milk, 4 cloves garlic, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and chopped spinach.
- Form the mixture into meatballs and press a cube of mozzarella into the center of each, sealing the meat around the cheese.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a cast iron or oven-safe skillet. Sear meatballs until golden brown on all sides.
- Pour marinara sauce over the meatballs in the skillet. Cover with foil and bake for 20–25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve hot over pasta or on their own with extra Parmesan and herbs.
Notes
Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent excess liquid inside the meatballs.
To make ahead, refrigerate meatballs before baking or freeze them raw or cooked.
Frozen spinach can be used—thaw and squeeze out excess water first.
For a low-carb version, use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs.
Spice it up with a pinch of red pepper flakes in the meat mixture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
