If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make dinner idea, these mozzarella-stuffed meatballs are the perfect choice! Tender meatballs filled with mozzarella, baked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with gooey cheese, will surely be a hit with everyone. This dish is versatile enough for everyday meals yet special enough for any occasion.
What to serve with mozzarella-stuffed meatballs?
These baked mozzarella meatballs are versatile and pair well with many different sides. Here is a few ideas that complement the dish perfectly:
- Pasta – a classic pairing that never fails! Opt for tagliatelle or spaghetti, and for extra fiber, choose whole-grain pasta.
- Potatoes – for a more traditional side, potatoes are an excellent choice. Try creamy mashed potatoes or herb-roasted potatoes with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Bread – Italian focaccia, baguette, or sourdough bread works wonderfully. You can lightly toast them in the oven with a bit of olive oil for a crispy outside and soft inside.
- Light salad – if you can’t imagine a meal without vegetables, a simple salad with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a splash of balsamic vinegar will pair beautifully with these meatballs.
Why make these baked meatballs?
- A well-balanced meal - the combination of lean meat and mozzarella provides high-quality protein. To make the meal even more nutritious, pair it with whole-grain pasta or sourdough bread and a light salad.
- A lighter option - these meatballs are baked, minimising the use of added fats and keeping the dish lower in calories. For an even lighter version, opt for light mozzarella and lean meat, such as turkey.
- Easy to prepare - this recipe is simple enough for anyone to make. Just form the meatballs, place them in the sauce, and bake. You can also easily make a larger batch, making it ideal for family gatherings or events.
If you’re looking for more quick, tasty, and balanced dinner ideas, check out these simple recipes on the blog:
- Stuffed bell peppers - meat and lentil | Gluten-free
- Pasta with pesto rosso and chicken
- Tuna and sun-dried tomatoes spaghetti
- Chicken in mustard sauce | Oven-baked
Mozzarella-stuffed meatballs | Baked in tomato sauce
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 800 g ground turkey
- 10 small mozzarella light balls
- 10 sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 small garlic clove
- ½ tsp paprika
- handful of grated mozzarella
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- Tomato sauce
Tomato sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes (skinless)
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Drain the sun-dried tomatoes of excess oil, chop finely, and set aside.
- In a baking dish (the same one you’ll use for the meatballs), mix the tomato sauce ingredients and stir well.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, grated garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Shape the meat mixture into meatballs, placing one mozzarella ball in the centre of each. Arrange the meatballs in the baking dish on top of the tomato sauce.
- Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes. Then, take them out, flip each meatball, sprinkle with grated mozzarella, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.
- Serve with your favourite sides (see ideas above). Enjoy!
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