Cheesy Spinach Bites (Printable Version)

Tender beef and spinach meatballs, each hiding cheesy melted mozzarella inside. Great on subs, as appetizers, or with pasta for dinner.

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
02 - ½ cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 egg
04 - ¼ cup marinara sauce (optional for serving)
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - ½ cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
07 - ¼ tablespoon salt
08 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
09 - ½ cup fresh spinach, chopped
10 - ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
11 - 1 lb ground beef

# Steps:

01 - Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and let it warm up.
02 - Toss ground beef, spinach, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, salt, and pepper into a big bowl and mix until it's just combined.
03 - Scoop some of the mixture, flatten it, and tuck a mozzarella cube in the middle. Roll it into a ball and repeat with the rest.
04 - Warm up olive oil in a pan, then brown the meatballs for about 5-6 minutes, flipping to get all sides.
05 - Move the meatballs into a baking dish and cook them in the oven for 10-12 minutes until they're done.
06 - Dish them up with marinara sauce on top and sprinkle with fresh basil or parmesan if you'd like.

# Notes:

01 - Kale or frozen spinach works fine instead of fresh.
02 - Give turkey, chicken, or vegetarian substitutes a try.
03 - Use a different cheese like gouda or feta for a twist.