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Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Traditional meatballs get taken up a notch, they’re stuffed with mozzarella cheese and baked in the oven. When they come out, they’re tossed and coated in an amazing, creamy roasted red pepper sauce.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For The Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef (I use 85% )
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 12 mini mozzarella cheese balls (or 1/2-inch cubed mozzarella cheese)

For The Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

  • 24 oz jarred roasted red peppers, drained (I used two 12 oz jars)
  • 1-1½ cups packed fresh basil leaves - about 20 leaves
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions
 

  • Combine ground beef, egg, garlic, panko bread crumbs, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
  • Form meatballs by using your hands to roll them into 2-tablespoon sized balls. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. You should come out with about 12 meatballs.
  • Use your finger to make a hole right in the center of each meatball. Stuff each meatball with a mini mozzarella ball. Use your hands, once more, to roll each meatball and cover the opening of the hole. Place them back onto the baking sheet.
  • Place into oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer measures internal temperature to be 160°F. 
  • While meatballs bake, make the roasted red pepper sauce by combining roasted red peppers, basil, garlic cloves, olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend the ingredients until the sauce is smooth.
  • Heat skillet over medium heat and add roasted red pepper sauce to the skillet. Stir and cook for 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium/low and add cream. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 more minutes until the sauce is heated through.
  • Once meatballs are finished baking, remove from oven and transfer them to the skillet with sauce. Spoon the sauce over meatballs and serve immediately.