Everything is better with cheese! These mozzarella-stuffed turkey meatballs are full of melted, gooey cheese and cook up in about 15 minutes. Serve them on toothpicks for an easy appetizer or toss them in marinara and serve with pasta.
If you love meatballs, these turkey meatballs stuffed with mozzarella are a simple, delicious choice. They’re versatile—perfect for parties, pasta nights, or sandwiches.
In our household, meatballs are the go-to for lasagna—never crumbled, always whole. These stuffed meatballs would be a great addition to lasagna or a no-boil version of the dish.
This recipe is an easy way to elevate dinner or provide a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Use fresh mozzarella, mozzarella pearls, or even string cheese cut into 1-inch pieces when supplies are limited.
What you will need:
The ingredients are straightforward and likely already in your kitchen. For the mozzarella, 1-inch pieces from fresh mozzarella, mozzarella pearls, or string cheese cut into 1-inch pieces all work well.
How to make these:
Combine all meatball ingredients (except the mozzarella) in a medium bowl and mix until evenly combined. Shape the mixture into 2-inch balls. Press an indentation into each ball, place a 1-inch piece of mozzarella inside, and reshape the meatball to completely enclose the cheese.
Baking is the easiest method: arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can cook meatballs directly in simmering marinara for a more saucy finish—this method is traditional and very flavorful, though it hasn’t been tested with this exact stuffed version here.
When they come out of the oven, the mozzarella should be melty and gooey. These are irresistible straight from the pan or tossed in marinara.
Notes:
- Toss finished meatballs in marinara and serve with toothpicks for an easy appetizer.
- For parties, keep them warm in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker set to Warm with your favorite sauce.
- If the mixture is sticky, chill it 15–20 minutes before rolling for easier handling.
- You can prepare the mixture ahead of time and form the meatballs just before baking.
Try these other easy turkey recipes:
- Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
- Simple Turkey Chili
- Turkey Pepper Skillet
- Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Turkey Enchiladas
- Pesto Turkey Pinwheels with Smoked Provolone
Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey (85% lean)
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 15 pieces of mozzarella, cut into 1-inch pieces (fresh, pearls, or string cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except the mozzarella and mix until well combined. Shape into 2-inch balls. If mixture is sticky, add a bit more breadcrumbs or chill for 15–20 minutes.
- Press an indentation into each meatball, place a 1-inch mozzarella piece inside, and reshape the meatball to fully enclose the cheese.
- Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake about 15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest a few minutes before serving. Serve tossed in marinara or on their own.
Notes
- Serve with marinara and toothpicks for easy party appetizers.
- Keep warm in a slow cooker set to Low or Warm with sauce for serving at gatherings.
- Chilling the mixture makes rolling easier.
- Prepare the mixture ahead and form meatballs just before baking if preferred.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 2 g,
Protein: 14 g,
Fat: 8 g
Nutrition information is an approximation.