Ultimate Baked Cheesy Meatballs
These baked cheesy meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and packed with melted cheese inside. Baking them instead of frying keeps them tender while giving them a delicious golden crust. They’re perfect with pasta, in sandwiches, or served as an appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef or beef/pork mix
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 100 g (about 1 cup) mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
For Serving (Optional)
- 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- Extra parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Meat Mixture
In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Mix gently until just combined.
3. Form the Meatballs
Take about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place a cube of mozzarella in the center, then wrap the meat around it and roll into a ball.
4. Arrange for Baking
Place the meatballs on the prepared tray, leaving a little space between each one.
5. Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.
6. Optional Sauce Finish
Warm marinara sauce in a pan, add the baked meatballs, and simmer for 5 minutes so they absorb the flavor.
Serving Ideas
- Serve over spaghetti or pasta
- Fill a meatball sub sandwich with melted cheese
- Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks
- Pair with garlic bread and salad
💡 Pro Tip: For extra juicy meatballs, mix half beef and half ground chicken or pork, and avoid overmixing the meat.
If you’d like, I can also show you a secret trick restaurants use to keep baked meatballs incredibly soft and juicy every time.
