Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 6 cubes mozzarella cheese (½–1 inch each)
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles
- Black or green food coloring (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Divide into 6 portions, flatten each, and place a mozzarella cube in the center. Roll into sealed meatballs.
- Place meatballs on the tray and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden. Optional: broil for 1–2 minutes for extra browning.
- Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water with food coloring. Drain and toss with olive oil.
- Warm marinara sauce with red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
- To serve, twirl spaghetti onto plates, top with a meatball, spoon over sauce, and slice one meatball to show the melted cheese. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
- Add edible eyes to meatballs for a Halloween touch.
- Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
- Use fresh mozzarella for the best melting effect.
- Swap in black bean pasta or linguine for different textures.
- Make mini versions for kids or party appetizers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball with spaghetti and sauce
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
