Name: Mozzarella-stuffed meatballs in tomato sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, crushed; 3 sprigs rosemary or oregano leaves finely chopped; Pinch of salt; 2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes; 1 tsp caster sugar; 75g spaghetti, to serve; 25g parmesan shavings, to serve (optional); MEATBALLS; 500g beef mince; 1/2 bunch parsley, leaves finely chopped, plus extra leaves, to serve; Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season; 50g mozzarella, cut into 16 pieces

Mozzarella-stuffed meatballs in tomato sauce

A dinner winner.

Serves 4

Prep

20M

Cook

Total

1H 20M

Skip to Recipe

Melt-in-the-mouth meatballs with a cheesy centre served in a homemade Mediterranean-style tomato sauce will make your usual spaghetti dinner next-level tasty.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, crushed

3 sprigs rosemary or oregano leaves finely chopped

Pinch of salt

2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes

1 tsp caster sugar

75g spaghetti, to serve

25g parmesan shavings, to serve (optional)

MEATBALLS

500g beef mince

1/2 bunch parsley, leaves finely chopped, plus extra leaves, to serve

Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season

50g mozzarella, cut into 16 pieces

Method

Heat oil in a medium saucepan on low. Add onion, garlic, rosemary and salt. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in tomatoes with sugar and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes (or for longer, if you have time).

Meanwhile, to make meatballs, combine mince and parsley, then season. Divide into 16 even pieces. Flatten one piece in the palm of your hand and put a piece of mozzarella in the middle. Close mince around cheese to make a meatball. Repeat with the remaining mince and mozzarella.

Preheat oven to 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional) and line an oven tray with baking paper. Bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through.

Meanwhile, cook pasta following packet instructions. Add meatballs to hot tomato sauce. Spoon meatballs and sauce over pasta, top with parmesan, if using, and scatter with extra parsley.

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Ingredients

Method

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