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Meatballs with Cheese and Marinara Sauce Recipe

Meatballs with Cheese and Marinara Sauce Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 29 reviews

Delicious and juicy meatballs made with ground beef, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, baked to perfection and smothered in a flavorful marinara sauce. Perfect as a comforting main dish for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey or chicken, or a mix of beef and pork)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro or dried parsley)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (or garlic flakes)
  • 1 tsp thyme (or oregano)

Cheese and Sauce

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or provolone or Monterey Jack)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C) preparing it to bake the meatballs.
  2. Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Parmesan cheese, salt, chili flakes, parsley, black pepper, thyme, minced garlic, and egg. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  3. Form the meatballs: Use a #20 scoop or a similar sized spoon to portion the mixture evenly. Shape each portion into a ball using your hands to create uniform meatballs.
  4. Arrange meatballs for baking: Transfer the formed meatballs into an oven-safe dish, spacing them evenly so they bake evenly.
  5. Bake the first side: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 15 minutes until the bottoms start to brown.
  6. Flip the meatballs: Remove the dish from the oven and carefully flip each meatball to ensure even cooking on all sides.
  7. Bake the other side: Return the meatballs to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
  8. Add cheese and sauce: Remove the meatballs and spoon marinara sauce over them, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  9. Final bake to melt cheese: Return the dish to the oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Serve hot: Take the meatballs out and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm with pasta, bread, or a side salad.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Mixing ground beef and pork can add extra juiciness to the meatballs.
  • Use Pecorino Romano cheese instead of Parmesan for a more pungent flavor.
  • Mozzarella can be replaced by provolone or Monterey Jack for different cheese textures and tastes.
  • Store-bought marinara sauce is convenient but homemade marinara enhances freshness and flavor.
  • Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred level of spice.
  • If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic flakes are an acceptable substitute.
  • Thyme can be swapped with oregano depending on the flavor profile you desire.
  • Making uniform meatballs with a scoop helps ensure even cooking.
  • Check internal temperature; meatballs should reach 160°F (71°C) to be safely cooked.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatballs, cheese, marinara sauce, baked meatballs, Italian recipe, ground beef, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/meatballs-with-cheese-and-marinara-sauce-recipe/