This delightful recipe for Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs with a Smoky Bacon Sauce will be a hit at your dinner table. The combination of juicy meatballs filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, paired with a rich and smoky bacon sauce, will leave your taste buds dancing. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a perfect choice for both busy weeknights and special occasions.

Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs with Smoky Bacon Sauce

Delicious mozzarella-stuffed meatballs simmered in a rich, smoky bacon-infused tomato sauce, perfect for a hearty meal.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 35 min | Total: 55 min

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
2. Take a small portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella in the center and wrap the meat around it, forming a meatball. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture and mozzarella cubes.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
4. In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), and the cooked bacon. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
6. Gently add the mozzarella-stuffed meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and let them simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
7. Serve the meatballs with the smoky bacon sauce, garnished with fresh basil or parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Fat: 30 g
• Carbs: 15 g
• Protein: 35 g

Rate This Recipe

12345

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Average Rating: 0 (0 votes)

🖨️ Print Facebook Pinterest

To begin with, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. For the meatballs, I generally use:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large egg
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes

For the smoky bacon sauce, I recommend the following ingredients:

• 6 strips of bacon, chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Now that you have everything ready, let’s start preparing the meatballs. First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, you’ll combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, and egg. Mix it all together until just combined, avoiding overmixing which can make the meatballs tough.

Next, take a small portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella in the center and wrap the meat around the cheese, forming a ball. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

While the meatballs are baking (for about 20-25 minutes), you can work on the smoky bacon sauce. In a large skillet over medium heat, add your chopped bacon. Cook until it’s crispy and golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and drain it on paper towels, leaving some of the bacon fat in the pan.

Next, add the diced onion to the same skillet and sauté it until it’s soft and translucent. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then stir in the brown sugar and smoked paprika; season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors.

Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the skillet with the sauce and toss gently to coat. Allow everything to simmer together for an additional 5 minutes. Serve your Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs generously topped with the smoky bacon sauce, and enjoy a deliciously satisfying meal!

Related posts:

Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks – A Game-Day Favorite Cheesy Bacon Breakfast Casserole with Hash Browns Decadent Chocolate Bacon Truffles Chocolate Bacon Éclairs – A Pastry Lover’s Dream