Every Christmas Eve, we host my family for dinner. It’s one of my favorite times of the year! We typically go to my parents, but I cook and create the menu. It’s a relaxed, fun time, and after the grown-ups (i.e. my parents) go to bed, we kids, will munch on leftovers, make drinks and play a board game. Never mind that we’re 22-30, we’ll always the kids at mom and dad’s.
I almost always make lasagna rolls, or a pasta dish because as an actual kid, my Italian momma always cooked this way for Christmas. But my mom has informed me she is over lasagna; after I recovered from my mini heart attack, I decided we could opt for several tapas style dishes, instead of a big dinner. But naturally, I found a way to incorporate some Italian flavors into our Christmas Eve dinner!
Who doesn’t love meatballs, right? They’re easy, bite-sized, and packed with flavor. The problem for me is that most of those recipes call for pre-made, frozen in a bag, processed meatballs. I’m not saying they aren’t good in a pinch, but I like to make the real deal, my friends.
I make my meatballs using 100% ground (mixing 80/20 and 90/10 for fat, and flavor), almond meal in lieu of breadcrumbs (since we try and eat clean at Casa de Crews – almond meal is less processed, and contains just one ingredient), and cheese, glorious bites of gooey, mozzarella cheese.
From prep to finish, these Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are ready in less than one hour (oh hey, pre-cooked meatballs that usually go in the crock pot, don’t you take several hours to cook?), and I know that I am serving my family something less processed, more flavorful, and all around better, in general. My favorite part about preparing these flavorful, little balls o’ meat is sticking a small cheese pearl in the center.
If you can’t find mozzarella pearls – usually in the specialty cheese case at your grocery, just dice a mozzarella stick into bite-sized, one inch pieces.
These meatballs are perfect as an appetizer, to bring to a potluck, or as a main dish.
We can usually count on a platter of meatballs out on our Christmas Eve table spread…but the idea of stuffing with mozzarella is new + tasty! Great idea & wonderful photos.
Thanks, David! Hope you enjoy plenty of meatballs tonight for Christmas Eve 😉
What a great choice for Christmas Eve or any night. Meatballs are so comforting, and the mozzarella is the best inside surprise ever!
I ADORE meatballs, and the cheesier the better! We may have to make these a part of our Christmas gathering this year too!
I hope that you love them, if you make them!
Is there anything better than a meatball — only one stuffed with mozzarella. Love these!
Those look so yummie!!
You had me at Mozzarella!! I can’t wait to try these!! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston
this italian girl is ALLL over those meatballs. YUMMY!
Yay!! Glad you approve 🙂
We always do apps for Christmas Eve. I love this take on meatballs! Happy Holidays to you and yours! 🙂
Merry Christmas, Nikki!
These sound SO yummy. These meatballs, a big bowl of pasta and a big glass of wine – yum!
Right? I don’t think you can go wrong with that combo!
I LOVE MEATBALLS! And yes, making them from scratch is the only way…the prepared stuff is always missing something or has too much of something. Gotta try stuffing meatballs next time! These look awesome!!
Thanks, Amy! For years, I made the bagged kind for parties, but never again!
Funny how you’re always considered the ‘kids’ in certain contexts. Glad you were able to keep an Italian dish in your tradition since your family has tired of lasagna.
Those look delish. I don’t think I have ever made a stuffed meatball. Need to try.
Can’t go wrong with cheese stuffed meatballs…these look absolutely scrumptious!
Thanks, Alida!
I love stuffed meatballs. These are the perfect size!
I love the mozzarella stuffed inside the meatball. That makes it even better.
I want to come over for dinner, yum!
Haha, come on over!
Love these! Everyone loves meatballs and even better that these are clean 🙂
Since I used almond meal, they’re low-carb, so I know you could eat these Danielle!
I love-a the meat-a-balls! My only question, is what are you going to eat? I’m taking the whole plate! 😉
Hahah, I love how you said that sooo “Italian”! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Yummmm! Homemade meatballs are the best and even better stuffed with ooey gooey cheese! Great way to keep the Italian flavors in the mix for your holiday!!
This recipe looks delicious. I’ll have to try it. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Robin
Merry Christmas, Robin!
I make these all of the time and they always disappear QUICKLY! Great recipe!
They’ve been a hit at our house as I played around with this recipe! I can’t wait to make them again for Christmas Eve!
Meatballs with a cheese treasure inside? I am ALL IN!
I like that, “cheese treasure”! I’m totally calling it that when I serve these on Christmas Eve 🙂
Between my husband and I, the plate of these would never make it out of the kitchen and onto the appetizer table!!
Hahaha, no judgement here. They are sooo good!
LOL at your mom–but I think your new menu sounds terrific, too! My first attempt at stuffed meatballs was kind of bland. I’m going to give yours a shot. They look amazing!!! Merry Christmas!
The first time I played with this recipe, I forgot the salt somehow and they were so-so. I promise they’re very flavorful IF you remember to add ALL the listed ingredients, lol. Merry Christmas to you!
Drooling over the cheese oozing out of those meatballs. I’ve seen cheese-covered ones before but not stuffed ones. I am so putting this on my to-cook list.
I tweaked, and played with this recipe a few times to get it right, and each time the cheese oozed out, No matter, because they’re sooo good like that! I hope you get to try these meatballs, and enjoy them as much as we do!