Tender Cheese-Stuffed Baked Meatballs Recipe
These Tender Cheese-Stuffed Baked Meatballs feature a juicy ground beef blend stuffed with fresh mozzarella cheese, pan-seared to golden perfection, and baked in a rich marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect served with fresh basil and extra Parmesan, this comforting dish combines savory spices and gooey cheese for a crowd-pleasing meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 meatballs, serves 4-6
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into ½” cubes
For the Sauce
- 2 Tbsp neutral oil (grapeseed, avocado, canola, or vegetable oil)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Fresh basil leaves for serving
- 32 oz marinara sauce
Instructions
- Make the meatball mixture. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the 2 eggs. Add 2 lbs ground beef, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 2 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp Kosher salt, and ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper. Gently mix everything with your hands, being careful not to overwork the meat, until thoroughly combined.
- Form the meatballs. Using a large cookie scoop, divide the meatball mixture into 10-12 equal portions, about 2 oz each. Press each portion into a flat disc, place 2-3 cubes of fresh mozzarella in the center, then carefully mold the meat around the cheese to seal it completely. Roll into uniform meatballs and set aside.
- Preheat and pan-sear. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 Tbsp neutral oil, then sear the meatballs for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip each meatball, then carefully pour the 32 oz marinara sauce over them, watching out for splatter.
- Bake the meatballs. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup grated Parmesan over the meatballs and sauce. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheeses have melted.
- Serve. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra grated Parmesan if desired. Serve warm as a hearty main dish or with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Reheating: Cover meatballs and reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.
- Make ahead: Form meatballs ahead of time and freeze raw or cook and refrigerate overnight. If frozen raw, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, pan-sear, then finish baking in the oven.
