Let’s talk about one of the most comforting, satisfying meals you can prep in under 45 minutes: Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs. These are everything you want from a cozy home-cooked dinner… juicy, savory, and filled with gooey cheese that melts right into the center of each bite.
They’re simple, cheesy, and incredibly flexible. Whether you serve them over pasta, zoodles, rice, or tucked into a sandwich later in the week, these meatballs are a great way to add variety and ease to your meal prep routine.
Why I Think You’ll Love This Recipe
At Workweek Lunch, we’re big on meals that check a few key boxes:
✅ Tasty and satisfying
✅ Budget-conscious
✅ Flexible and easy to customize
✅ Great for leftovers
These mozzarella stuffed meatballs hit all of those. They’re made with simple ingredients, require no fancy techniques, and come together in one bowl and one baking sheet.
The result? A comforting meal that feels like a little reward at the end of a long day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this recipe, most of which you probably already have on hand:
- Ground beef (1.5 lbs – we used 93% lean)
- Mozzarella cheese (6 ounces, cut into 16 small cubes)
- Parmesan cheese (½ cup, finely grated)
- 1 large egg (to help bind everything)
- Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper (for flavor!)
Optional sides and toppings:
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley
- Marinara sauce
- Zoodles or gluten-free pasta
How to Make Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
This recipe is beginner-friendly. And if you’ve ever made meatballs before, the only extra step is tucking a cube of cheese inside. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture into your hand, flatten it slightly, and place a cube of mozzarella in the center.
- Wrap the meat around the cheese and roll into a ball, making sure the cheese is fully enclosed. Place on the baking sheet.
- Repeat until all of the meat is used—you’ll get about 16 large meatballs.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and the cheese is just starting to melt inside.
- Serve with warm marinara sauce over pasta, zoodles, or however you like!
Meal Prep Tips
- Double the batch: If you have the freezer space, make a double batch and freeze half for a future meal. You’ll be grateful to have these ready.
- Portion for the week: These meatballs keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze beautifully too. Store with sauce and sides or separately—whatever works best for your routine.
- Reheat easily: Pop them in the microwave or warm them on the stovetop with a little sauce.
How to Customize Mozzarella Stuffed Metaballs
This is a great base recipe to make your own. Try these simple tweaks to switch things up:
- Change the seasoning: Add a little smoked paprika or red pepper flakes if you like heat.
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef (whatever you have on hand).
- Swap the cheese for another melty option like provolone or dairy-free mozzarella.
- Add chopped spinach or grated zucchini to the meat mixture for extra veggies.
- Add a couple of tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley into the mix before forming the meatballs.
A Word on Simplicity
One of the reasons we love this recipe is that it takes almost no mental energy to pull together—especially on a Sunday when you’re prepping multiple meals. You don’t need a ton of steps, prep bowls, or ingredients. It’s just simple food that feels good to eat and keeps your week running smoothly.
How to Serve Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
These meatballs are super versatile! Here are a few serving ideas to mix up your week:
- Over gluten-free pasta or regular pasta with sauce and a sprinkle of basil
- On top of zoodles or spaghetti squash
- In a grain bowl with rice, roasted veggies, and a drizzle of pesto
- As a filling for meatball subs or wraps
- On their own as a quick, protein-rich snack or lunchbox option
This recipe is a reminder that delicious, homemade meals don’t have to be complicated. Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are the kind of dinner that feels like a win every time—whether you’re feeding yourself, your family, or stocking your fridge for the week ahead.
If you’re looking for more cozy, minimal-effort meals like this one, check out our full collection of meal prep recipes inside the WWL Program.
Try these other awesome pasta dishes
- 20-Minute Ground Beef Pasta with Swiss Chard
- Stuffed Shells with Spinach
- Freezer-Friendly Spaghetti Bolognese
- Meal Prep Pasta Primavera
Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs (Gluten-Free & Meal Prep Friendly)
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into 16 cubes
For Serving (optional)
- 4 cups zoodles or spaghetti
- 2 cups gluten free pasta
- Marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Combine ground beef through black pepper in a medium bowl and mix well to combine, take care not to overmix.
- Scoop a couple tablespoons of the meatball mixture, and flatten in your hand. Add a cube of mozzarella to the center, and then press the meat around the cheese until it’s completely covered.
- Roll the meatball to a round shape, and then place on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Repeat until all the meatball mixture is gone. (We made 16 large meatballs with this recipe.)
- Bake for 15 minutes, until the meatballs have browned and the cheese has just started to ooze.
- Serve on zoodles or with pasta and marinara sauce.
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