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Baked Stuffed Meatballs with Marinara in a white bowl, garnished with fresh basil.

Baked Stuffed Meatballs

These Baked Stuffed Meatballs with Marinara are juicy meatballs filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, served in a rich homemade tomato sauce, making for a cozy and comforting dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 240
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatball Ingredients
  • 1 lb Ground beef You can substitute with a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage.
  • 1 lb Italian sausage Optional, may use all beef instead.
  • 1 cup Bread crumbs Plain or Italian style, panko is also suitable.
  • 1 tbsp Milk Just a splash to soften the crumbs.
  • 1 large Egg Helps bind the meat mixture.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced; fresh is best.
  • 1/2 medium Onion Chopped; fresh is best, or use garlic powder for a shortcut.
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Grated, for flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning Or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme.
  • 1 tsp Salt To taste.
  • 1 tsp Black pepper To taste.
  • 8 oz Mozzarella Cut into small cubes or use string cheese.
Marinara Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil For sautéing.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced for the sauce.
  • 1 medium Onion Chopped for the sauce.
  • 28 oz Crushed tomatoes For the sauce base.
  • 1 tsp Salt To taste.
  • 1 tsp Black pepper To taste.
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning Add to the sauce.
  • 1 pinch Sugar Optional, if tomatoes taste too sharp.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the bread crumbs with milk and let sit for a minute.
  3. Add the ground meat, egg, Parmesan, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the bread crumb mixture. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
  4. Scoop a small handful of meat mixture, flatten it in your palm, place a mozzarella cube in the center, wrap the meat around it, and roll into a ball, ensuring the cheese is completely sealed inside.
  5. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared sheet pan, spacing them slightly apart.
Cooking
  1. Bake meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
  2. While the meatballs bake, make the marinara sauce. In a pot, warm olive oil over medium heat, then sauté garlic and onion until softened.
  3. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to the pot, stirring to combine. Let it simmer on low heat while the meatballs are baking.
  4. Once meatballs are done, gently drop them into the marinara sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Notes

If freezing extras, form meatballs and place on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen and add a few extra minutes to cooking time.