Ingredients
- 225 g fresh baby spinach (about 8 oz)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 15–30 ml olive oil (1–2 tbsp)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 150 g mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes or use mozzarella balls
- 500 g ground beef (or mix of beef & lamb/pork)
- 1 large egg
- 60 g breadcrumbs (about ½ cup)
- 30 g grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
- 120 ml beef or chicken broth (optional, for baking)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.
- In a skillet, heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds, then add spinach and cook until wilted and moisture evaporates, about 2–3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Cool, squeeze excess liquid, and chop.
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan (if using), parsley, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper until just combined.
- Flatten about 2 tbsp of meat mixture into a disc. Add 1–2 tsp spinach and a mozzarella cube to the center. Wrap meat around filling and roll into a sealed ball. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Brown meatballs on all sides, about 5–6 minutes.
- Transfer browned meatballs to a baking dish. Pour in broth (optional) and bake for 15–20 minutes, until cooked through and cheese is melted.
Notes
- Make sure meatballs are sealed well to prevent cheese leakage.
- Can use frozen spinach (thawed and drained) instead of fresh.
- Swap mozzarella for cheddar or provolone for variety.
- Breadcrumbs can be replaced with almond flour for low-carb version.
- Delicious with pasta, rice, or as a sandwich filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg