Description
Cheesy Baked Meatballs are a delightful and easy recipe that combines ground beef with gooey mozzarella cheese, baked to perfection and served in marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Take a small amount of the meat mixture (about 2 tablespoons) and flatten it in your hand. Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center and fold the meat around the cheese to form a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned.
- While the meatballs are baking, heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and transfer them to the saucepan with the marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of these meatballs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg