Spinach Garlic Meatballs with Mozzarella Recipe

Introduction

These spinach garlic meatballs are a delicious twist on a classic favorite, packed with fresh spinach and melted mozzarella at their center. They make a satisfying meal that’s flavorful and easy to prepare for any weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey (can substitute with lean turkey)
• 2 cups fresh spinach (sautéed to enhance flavor)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 small onion (optional, finely chopped)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (can use oats or almond flour)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 oz low-moisture mozzarella cubes (use chilled to avoid leaks)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• To taste salt
• To taste pepper
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (for heat)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley (for freshness)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Sauté the fresh spinach and minced garlic in a skillet over medium heat until the spinach is wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool, then finely chop the mixture.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, the chopped spinach and garlic, and chopped parsley. Stir gently until just mixed together.
3. Step 3: Form the meat mixture into balls by placing a chilled mozzarella cube in the center and encasing it completely with the meat, making sure each meatball is well sealed to prevent leaking.
4. Step 4: Cook the meatballs either by baking them at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or by pan-searing in oil over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through.
5. Step 5: For extra flavor, simmer the cooked meatballs in warm marinara sauce for 5-10 minutes before serving.
6. Step 6: Let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes after cooking to retain their juiciness and let the flavors develop fully.

Tips & Variations

• Use chilled mozzarella cubes to make it easier to enclose in the meat and reduce leakage during cooking.
• Substitute breadcrumbs with oats or almond flour for a gluten-free option.
• Add finely chopped onion for extra depth of flavor, or omit for a milder taste.
• Try simmering meatballs in your favorite homemade or store-bought marinara sauce to add moisture and a rich taste.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them gently in a skillet or microwave until heated through. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen spinach works well. Thaw and squeeze out excess water before sautéing and chopping to avoid excess moisture in the meatballs.

How do I prevent the mozzarella from leaking out?

Using chilled mozzarella cubes and fully enclosing them in the meat mixture helps prevent leaking. Make sure the meatballs are tightly sealed before cooking.

Spinach Garlic Meatballs with Mozzarella Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 220 reviews

These Spinach Garlic Meatballs are a delicious and nutritious twist on traditional meatballs, combining ground beef or turkey with sautéed spinach, garlic, and a gooey mozzarella center. Perfectly seasoned and cooked either baked or pan-seared, they offer a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings (approximately 16 meatballs) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

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Meatball Mixture

• 1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey (can substitute with lean turkey)
• 2 cups Fresh Spinach (sautéed to enhance flavor)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 small Onion (optional, finely chopped)
• 1 large Egg
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs (can use oats or almond flour)
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• to taste Salt
• to taste Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (for heat)
• 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley (for freshness)

Filling

• 8 oz Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cubes (use chilled to avoid leaks)

Instructions

1. Sauté Spinach and Garlic: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté the fresh spinach along with minced garlic until wilted, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool, then finely chop to incorporate more evenly into the meat mixture.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and the cooled chopped spinach and garlic mixture. Stir gently until all ingredients are just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
3. Form Meatballs: Take a portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your hand. Place a chilled mozzarella cube in the center, then fold and seal the meat around the cheese completely, shaping it into a meatball. Repeat until all mixture and cheese cubes are used.
4. Cook Meatballs: Choose your preferred cooking method: bake the meatballs on a lined baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and golden, or pan-sear them in a little oil over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked.
5. Simmer in Marinara (Optional): For an extra layer of flavor, transfer the cooked meatballs to a pan with warm marinara sauce and simmer gently for 5-10 minutes.
6. Rest and Serve: Remove the meatballs from heat and allow them to rest for 5 minutes to retain their juiciness before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley as desired.

Notes

• You can substitute ground beef with lean turkey for a lighter option.
• Sautéing the spinach before mixing helps reduce moisture and enhances flavor.
• If avoiding breadcrumbs, use oats or almond flour for a gluten-free alternative.
• Chilling mozzarella cubes before stuffing helps prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking.
• Resting meatballs after cooking keeps them juicy and flavorful.
• Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.

Keywords: spinach meatballs, garlic meatballs, mozzarella stuffed meatballs, baked meatballs, Italian meatballs, healthy meatballs, ground beef meatballs, turkey meatballs