Description
Spinach Garlic Meatballs with Mozzarella are tender, cheesy meatballs bursting with fresh spinach and aromatic garlic. These easy-to-make, nutritious, and flavorful meatballs feature a gooey mozzarella center, perfect for a quick dinner or entertaining guests. They offer a delicious combination of vibrant greens and melted cheese, ideal served alone or with pasta, salad, or your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, or a mix)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, wilted and excess moisture squeezed out
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 6–8 small mozzarella cheese balls or cubes (about 4 oz total)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fresh Spinach and Garlic: Wilt the spinach in a pan with a bit of olive oil until soft and fragrant, then allow to cool. Squeeze out any excess water thoroughly to prevent soggy meatballs. Mince the garlic finely to evenly distribute its bold flavor throughout the mixture.
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine ground meat, cooled spinach, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly but avoid overworking the mixture to maintain tender meatballs.
- Form the Meatballs with Mozzarella Centers: Take a small portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a mozzarella cube or ball in the center, then carefully wrap the meat around it and roll into a smooth ball. Repeat until all meat mixture and cheese are used.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs carefully, cooking them for about 4-5 minutes per side, turning gently to brown evenly on all sides. The mozzarella within will melt as the meatballs turn golden.
- Finish and Serve: Once cooked through, transfer meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve warm with your preferred sauce or side dishes.
Notes
- Dry spinach well to avoid watery meatballs that can fall apart.
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs light and tender.
- Make meatballs uniform in size for even cooking and professional appearance.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier and better melting cheesy center.
- Cook a single meatball first to test seasoning and adjust if needed.
- Allow meatballs to rest a few minutes before serving so juices redistribute for juicier bites.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 meatballs
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: spinach meatballs, garlic meatballs, mozzarella cheese, easy dinner, Italian appetizer, gluten free meatballs, cheesy meatballs, healthy meatballs
