Stuffed Turkey Mozzarella Meatballs
Cheesy inside and crispy on the outside, you have the best idea anyone has come up with. Stuffed meatballs! Easy to make and family-pleasing to make any night! The best part of this dish is letting it simmer in tomato sauce for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 egg
- ¾ cups breadcrumbs plus more if needed
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes (18-20 pieces)
- 4 cups tomato pasta sauce of choice optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F if you choose to bake the meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a saute pan on medium-high heat, then add the onions. Cook for 6 minutes until translucent and soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Set aside. Allow to slightly cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, parsley, egg, and breadcrumbs. (*1) Add the onions and garlic, then mix to combine into the meat. Mix just until combined (over mixing will create tough meatballs).
- Take approximately 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll it into a ball. Press a cube of cheese into the ball of meat, making sure that the meat completely surrounds the cheese. Set aside the meatball on a plate and repeat with the remaining meat and cheese.
- In that same saute pan you used for the onions and garlic, heat 2 tbsp olive oil on medium-high heat. Place a few meatballs at a time and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes each. Place meatballs on a sheet pan with aluminum foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.
- If you are baking the meatballs, bake the meatballs in a 350F oven for 20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- If you are using the tomato sauce, heat the sauce in a saucepot and place the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 20 minutes so it will flavor up the sauce.
Notes
Nutrition does not include the sauce.
(*1) If the mixture is too wet, you can add a few tablespoons of breadcrumbs extra until it is not as wet. Meatballs that are too wet will break apart.
**Cook time includes 20 minutes of simmering in the sauce.