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Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatball Bake
Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatball Bake

Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatball Bake

with Cavatappi and a Crispy Panko Topping

Recipe Development Team
Recipe Development TeamPublished on August 05, 2019
4.1
(3.7K)

Sure, you’ve heard of a cheese-stuffed burger, but a cheese-stuffed meatball?! Now that’s next-level culinary innovation. Tuscan-spiced ground beef is wrapped around pieces of fresh mozzarella and then baked. While they’re in the oven, you’ll be boiling cavatappi and whipping up a from-scratch tomato sauce. Everything is stirred together, then topped with buttery panko and more fresh mozzarella. A trip under the broiler transforms the topping into crunchy, melty perfection. Now that’s a cheesy meatball!

Tags:
Family Friendly
Allergens:
Milk
Wheat

The quantities provided above are averages only.

Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.

Total Time45 minutes
Prep Time
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

serving amount

1 unit

Yellow Onion

4 ounce

Fresh Mozzarella

(Contains: Milk)

½ cup

Panko Breadcrumbs

(Contains: Wheat)

10 ounce

Ground Beef

1 tablespoon

Tuscan Heat Spice

6 ounce

Cavatappi Pasta

(Contains: Wheat)

13.76 ounce

Crushed Tomatoes

1.5 ounce

Tomato Paste

Not included in your delivery

4 teaspoon

Olive Oil

1 teaspoon

Sugar

2 tablespoon

Butter

(Contains: Milk)

Salt

Pepper

1 teaspoon

Vegetable Oil

Nutrition Values

/ per serving
Energy (kJ)4728 kJ
Calories1130 kcal
Fat58 g
Saturated Fat25 g
Carbohydrate105 g
Sugar17 g
Dietary Fiber8 g
Protein50 g
Cholesterol165 mg
Sodium1240 mg
Due to the different suppliers we purchase our products from, nutritional facts per meal can vary from the website to what is received in the delivered box, depending on your region.

Utensils

Large Pot
Large Bowl
Baking Sheet
Small Bowl
Strainer
Large Pan

Instructions

Prep
1

Adjust rack to middle and top positions and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry all produce. Halve, peel, and dice onion; mince a few pieces until you have 2 TBSP (3 TBSP for 4 servings). Halve mozzarella; dice one half into four equal-sized pieces (eight pieces for 4); tear remaining half into bite-size pieces.

Start Meatballs
2

In a large bowl, soak half the panko (you’ll use the rest later) with 2 TBSP water (3 TBSP for 4 servings). Let sit until absorbed, then add beef, minced onion, half the Tuscan Heat Spice (you’ll use the rest later), ¾ tsp salt (1½ tsp for 4), and pepper. Mix to combine.

Form and Bake Meatballs
3

Lightly oil a baking sheet. Form beef mixture into four 3-inch-wide rounds (eight rounds for 4); divide diced mozzarella between the centers of each. Gently fold meat around cheese, shaping and sealing to create cheese-stuffed meatballs. Place on prepared sheet. Bake on middle rack until cooked through, 20-22 minutes. Remove from oven; heat broiler to high or oven to 500 degrees.

Cook Pasta and Make Topping
4

Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside. Reserve empty pot. Meanwhile, place 1 TBSP butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until melted, about 30 seconds. Stir in ¼ tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (½ tsp for 4 servings; you’ll use the rest later), remaining panko, a large drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Cook Sauce
5

Meanwhile, heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large, preferably ovenproof, pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion; cook, stirring, until softened, 4-6 minutes. Stir in remaining Tuscan Heat Spice, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, ½ cup water (¾ cup for 4 servings), 1 tsp sugar (2 tsp for 4), and salt until combined. Bring to a simmer; cook until slightly thickened, 3-4 minutes. Stir in 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4) until melted. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Finish and Serve
6

Carefully pour sauce into pot used for pasta; add cavatappi. If pasta seems dry, add a splash of water. Gently stir in meatballs to coat. Carefully transfer everything back into pan used for sauce. (TIP: If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.) Top mixture with panko and torn mozzarella. Broil or bake on top rack until panko is golden brown and cheese is melted, 2-4 minutes. Let cool slightly, then serve.

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