Spinach Garlic Meatballs Mozzarella (Printable Version)

Tender meatballs with spinach, garlic, and melted mozzarella inside, great with marinara or pasta.

# Everything You’ll Need:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
02 - 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 egg
05 - ½ cup breadcrumbs
06 - ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
07 - 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - ½ tsp black pepper
10 - 12 small mozzarella balls or 1 cup mozzarella, cubed
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil, for frying

→ Optional Sauce

12 - 2 cups marinara sauce
13 - Fresh basil, for garnish

# Steps to Cook:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped spinach, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
02 - Divide mixture into 12 equal portions. Flatten each and place mozzarella in the center. Shape into sealed balls around the cheese.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
04 - Alternatively, bake meatballs on a lined sheet at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes.
05 - Heat marinara sauce in a saucepan over low heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer briefly to absorb flavors.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil, over pasta, rice, or with marinara on the side.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Seal meatballs tightly to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
02 - Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
03 - Add red pepper flakes to the mixture for extra flavor.