Cheese Stuffed Spicy Meatballs (Print)
Beef meatballs filled with melted mozzarella, drenched in a bold pepper jack and cheddar sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
02 - 1 large egg
03 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 small onion, finely grated
07 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
10 - 3.5 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 12 small cubes
→ Spicy Cheese Sauce
11 - 2 tbsp butter
12 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
13 - 1 cup whole milk
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
16 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
18 - 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
19 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Serving
20 - Fresh parsley, chopped
21 - Crusty bread or pasta
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, grated onion, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions. Flatten each portion in your palm, place a mozzarella cube in the center, and wrap the meat tightly around the cheese, sealing well to form a smooth ball.
04 - Arrange meatballs on the prepared baking tray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F.
05 - While the meatballs bake, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a smooth roux.
06 - Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 to 3 minutes.
07 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheddar, pepper jack, smoked paprika, cayenne, hot sauce, and salt. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
08 - Arrange hot meatballs on a serving platter and drizzle generously with spicy cheese sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve alongside crusty bread or over pasta.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The surprise of pulling apart a meatball and watching melted mozzarella stretch is the kind of drama dinner needs.
- The spicy cheese sauce is velvety, bold, and clings to every surface, turning simple meatballs into something borderline indulgent.
02 -
- Seal the mozzarella cubes completely inside the meat because even a tiny gap will let cheese leak out and burn on the tray.
- Add the cheese to the sauce off the heat or on very low because boiling cheese sauce causes it to separate and turn grainy.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly before shaping the meatballs because damp palms prevent the mixture from sticking and tearing as you work.
- Let the sauce rest for 2 minutes off the heat before serving because it thickens to the perfect drizzling consistency as it cools slightly.