These ultra tender cheese stuffed meatballs are filled mozzarella, simmered in a homemade marinara, and served over cooked pasta — the ultimate comfort food!
Pair these cheese stuffed meatballs with homemade dinner rolls, an Italian salad, and cosmic brownies for dessert!
Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
Growing up, spaghetti and meatballs were one of my all-time favorite meals. I can do pasta + red sauce for honestly any meal (yes even breakfast), but add meatballs to it and it has now become my favorite.
Since I really feel passionate about meatballs and the pasta, I’m beyond excited to share this recipe with you all.
I’ve tested and retested, made and re-made these meatballs dozens of times until they are exactly what I would consider the perfect meatball! Plenty of flavor, perfect consistency, great texture, and BONUS they’re stuffed with cheese.
A cube of delicious, melty, mozzarella cheese right in the middle.
And while the sauce + meatballs are simmering and getting all sorts of delicious, it’s time to whip up the pasta.
When the pasta is done, it’s ready to be covered in meatballs and sauce. And of course, you can’t forget the Parmesan cheese + fresh basil to top it all off. Enjoy!
More comfort food favorites:
- Chicken Divan no cream of mushroom soup OR mayo
- Crockpot Creamy Chicken Enchilada Chili reader favorite
- Short Ribs in the crockpot
- Ham Pot Pie perfect for leftover holiday ham
- Crock Pot Roast rave reviews
Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
Ingredients
Mini Meatballs
- 45 miniature or little mozzarella pearls
- 1/3 cup yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 cup Panko
- scant 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper
Sauce and Pasta
- 3 tablespoons + 1/4 cup olive oil separated
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 5-6 cloves garlic minced
- Fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Serve over thin or thick spaghetti
- Optional: freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Slice each mozzarella into two pieces and set aside. Using a cheese grater, finely grate the onion. In a large bowl, combine the milk, Panko, Parmesan cheese, ground beef, minced garlic, dried oregano, fresh parsley, egg, and grated yellow onion. Add about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper.
- Knead the mixture with your hands until combined. Measure out a scant 1 tablespoon of the mixture and gently form a ball. Press 1 mozzarella piece into the center and ensure the meatball mixture is completely covering the mozzarella. Repeat with all of the meat mixture until it is all used up. You should get around 44-46 "mini" meatballs.
- In a large nonstick skillet, add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Heat to medium high and then add in about 1/2 of the meatballs. Gently turn the meatballs over and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until they are browned (but not cooked through). Remove to a plate. And another 1 and 1/2 tablespoons oil and repeat with the rest of the meatballs. Remove the rest of those meatballs to the plate.
- In the same skillet, add remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. When the oil is hot, add in the garlic. As soon as the garlic sizzles, add in the canned tomatoes. Pour 1 cup water into the can of tomatoes and slosh around to get the rest of the tomatoes. Pour that into the skillet as well. Add red pepper flakes, oregano, and about 1 teaspoon salt. Stir. Add 1 sprig of basil and submerge it in the sauce.
- Add the cooked meatballs into the mixture and press to be covered in the sauce. Simmer for 8-12 minutes, turning every now and again, or until completely cooked through. Discard the basil sprig.
- Meanwhile, prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain.
- Top the pasta with meatballs and sauce. Garnish with fresh ribboned basil, additional cracked pepper, & freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
As your sister I have to say, These are a whole other level of meatballs!! They’re better than the meatballs at my favorite LA restaurant “my brothers meatballs”! I couldn’t believe it!!!
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Heather! 🙂