Cheese Stuffed Spicy Meatballs (Printable)
Juicy meatballs filled with melted mozzarella and coated in a creamy spicy cheddar sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - ½ lb ground pork
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - ½ cup breadcrumbs
06 - ¼ cup milk
07 - 1 large egg
08 - ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
09 - ¾ teaspoon salt
10 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
11 - 3.5 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
→ Spicy Cheese Sauce
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
13 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
14 - 1 cup milk
15 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
16 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
17 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
18 - 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeños, finely chopped (optional)
19 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ For Serving
20 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
21 - Crusty bread, pasta, or rice (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, soak breadcrumbs in ¼ cup milk for 5 minutes. Add ground beef, ground pork, onion, garlic, egg, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture, flatten it in your palm, and place a mozzarella cube in the center. Wrap the meat around the cheese, shaping into a ball and sealing completely. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
04 - Arrange the stuffed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20–22 minutes until fully cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
05 - While the meatballs bake, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a smooth roux.
06 - Gradually whisk in 1 cup milk until smooth and no lumps remain. Continue cooking and stirring for 2–3 minutes until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
07 - Reduce heat to low. Add grated cheddar, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and pickled jalapeños if using. Stir until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is velvety smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Serve the hot meatballs drizzled generously with spicy cheese sauce. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired. Pair with crusty bread, pasta, or rice.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- That moment when you cut open a meatball and the cheese stretches out is genuinely thrilling, no matter how many times you have seen it happen.
- The spicy cheese sauce turns something already great into something you will crave on cold evenings and lazy weekends alike.
02 -
- Seal the cheese completely inside each meatball because any opening will let the mozzarella leak out during baking and leave you with an empty center.
- Add the cheese to the sauce off the main heat or with the burner turned very low because boiling cheese sauce causes it to break and turn grainy instead of smooth.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly with cold water before shaping each meatball and the mixture will not stick to your palms, making the process far less frustrating.
- Grate your own cheddar from a block instead of using pre shredded bags because the anti caking coatings on store bought shredded cheese prevent it from melting into a truly smooth sauce.