Mozzarella Spinach Meatballs (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Spinach Blend
01 -
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
02 -
8 oz fresh baby spinach
03 -
1-2 tbsp olive oil
→ Meatball Mix
04 -
1 lb ground pork
05 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20 ratio)
06 -
2 tbsp milk
07 -
4 garlic cloves, minced
08 -
2 1/4 cups soft breadcrumbs
09 -
3 large eggs (use 4 small ones if needed)
10 -
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
11 -
Freshly ground black pepper as desired
12 -
Salt as preferred
13 -
2 tbsp olive oil, for cooking
14 -
8 oz mozzarella cheese, diced into 32 tiny cubes
→ For Serving
15 -
Your favorite cooked pasta
16 -
One 24 oz jar marinara sauce
# Instructions:
01 -
Warm up olive oil in a big pan on medium heat. Toss in the spinach and keep stirring until it shrinks. Add the minced garlic, stir for another minute or two until fragrant, then take it off the heat.
02 -
Move the warm spinach mixture to a cutting board, finely chop it, then let it cool down completely before using.
03 -
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it heat up while prepping.
04 -
In a large bowl, blend the pork, beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, minced garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix gently until it's just combined.
05 -
Fold the cooled, chopped spinach-garlic mixture into the meat mixture, making sure it's evenly spread.
06 -
Scoop about 2 tbsp of the meat combo, press it flat in your hand, put a mozzarella cube in the middle, and roll it into a ball. Repeat for roughly 32 meatballs.
07 -
Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium-high. Sear the meatballs in batches, turning them to brown all sides, but don't cook them all the way through yet.
08 -
Pour marinara sauce over the meatballs in the skillet, cover with foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes. They're ready when their internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C).
09 -
Dish out the meatballs over your cooked pasta. Pour extra marinara sauce on top and sprinkle with Parmesan if you'd like.
# Notes:
01 -
You can freeze these meatballs before cooking to save for another day.
02 -
If the meat mix feels too sticky, sprinkle in more breadcrumbs one spoonful at a time.
03 -
For extra flavor, toss in a bit of Italian seasoning or finely chopped fresh herbs.