Mozzarella Stuffed Meatball Sliders
Every great meatball has a secret, and these have a cheesy one! Tender meatballs made with a blend of beef and pork are seasoned with fresh herbs and stuffed with gooey mozzarella. Students will practice mixing, portioning, stuffing, searing, and simmering while learning how to build flavor from simple ingredients. Once cooked in Easy Peasy Marinara Sauce, the meatballs can be served over pasta or tucked into slider buns for a fun, crowd-pleasing meal.
- Serves
- 8 -10
Directions
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Make the Meatball Mixture
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Place the egg, onion, ground beef, ground pork, parsley, basil, thyme, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix rigorously with clean hands until all ingredients are evenly combined and sticky.
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Stuff the Meatballs
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Divide the mixture into 8-10 equal portions. Roll into small golf ball sized meatballs.
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Place a cube of mozzarella in the center. Shape the meat around the cheese, completely sealing the mozzarella inside. Gently press each ball down slightly with a spatula into a slider shape, being careful not to reveal the cheese.
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Sear the Meatballs
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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the meatballs, do not crowd them. Sear for about 2 minutes per side, turning with tongs until browned on all sides. The meatballs will not be fully cooked at this stage.
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Simmer in Marinara Sauce
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Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the meatballs. Alternatively, drop the meatballs into the sauce pan with the marinara sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. Spoon sauce over the meatballs occasionally as they cook.
From Shawnie's class “Mozzarella Stuffed Meatball Sliders with Homemade Marinara Sauce” (also taught in Building Confidence in the Kitchen: Knife Skills, Soups, and Sliders, Cooking with Kids)
