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Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs in Marinara Recipe

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4.3 from 8 reviews

Enjoy these delicious Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs, featuring juicy ground meat filled with gooey string cheese, simmered in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for a comforting family dinner served with garlic bread or crusty bread for dipping.

Ingredients

Meatball Mixture

  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 pound ground meat of choice
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons minced Italian parsley, plus more for serving
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 string cheese sticks, each cut into four 1-inch pieces

For Cooking

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cups homemade or store-bought marinara sauce

For Serving (Optional)

  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Garlic bread or crusty bread

Instructions

  1. Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the whole milk and Italian breadcrumbs. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to soak up the milk and soften.
  2. Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the soaked breadcrumb mixture along with ground meat, minced garlic, minced parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to gently mix everything together until just combined—be careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
  3. Form and Stuff Meatballs: Divide the mixture into eight equal parts. Roll each portion into a ball. Press a piece of string cheese into the center of each ball, then carefully shape the meat around it to seal the cheese inside completely.
  4. Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, brown the meatballs evenly on all sides in batches. When browned, transfer them onto a plate and wipe the skillet clean.
  5. Simmer in Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet and return the browned meatballs to the pan. Toss gently to coat them in the sauce. Cover and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
  6. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the meatballs with grated Parmesan cheese and additional parsley. Serve hot with garlic bread or crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful sauce.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
  • Use string cheese or mozzarella sticks for easy stuffing and melting.
  • You can use any ground meat you prefer such as beef, pork, turkey, or a combination.
  • Allow the meatballs to simmer gently in the sauce to ensure they are cooked through and infused with flavor.
  • Serve with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley for added flavor and garnish.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/mozzarella-stuffed-meatballs-in-marinara-recipe/