1-How to Prepare the Perfect Stuffed Meatballs: Step-by-Step Guide Stuffed meatballs with mozzarella are a fun twist on a classic recipe, and getting them just right starts with gathering your ingredients and setting up your kitchen. Begin by heating the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook the onion until it softens, which takes about 5 minutes. Once that’s done, add the garlic and stir until it’s fragrant, usually just a minute more.

2-Next, stir in the plum tomatoes along with the dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Chop the tomatoes into chunks right in the pan and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes until it thickens into a savory marinara sauce. Keep this sauce warm while you prepare the meatballs to ensure everything comes together smoothly.

3-Prepping and Forming the Meatballs: Preheat your oven to 350ºF and grease a 2-quart oven-safe dish to prevent sticking. In a bowl, mix the bread crumbs with the milk until they absorb the liquid, then add the ground beef, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, black pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano. Combine these gently to keep the mixture from becoming tough.

4-Using a ¼ cup scoop, form the meat mixture into balls by first flattening each portion in your hand. Place a drained mozzarella ball in the center, enclose it completely with the meat, and reshape into a ball. This step is key to that melted cheese surprise inside, so make sure it’s sealed well.

5-Baking and Serving: Arrange the meatballs in the prepared dish and pour the warm marinara sauce over them. Cover with foil and bake for 1 to 1½ hours, or until the meat is no longer pink inside. For the best results, check at the 1-hour mark to avoid overcooking. Once done, let them rest a bit before serving warm, perhaps over pasta for a complete meal.