Ingredients
- 1 lb (500g) lean ground beef or ground turkey (90% lean or leaner)
- ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese (blended completely smooth)
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs or almond flour
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Low-moisture mozzarella cheese (cut into small 1-inch cubes)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for serving or baking underneath)
Instructions
1. Prep and Preheat
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper/aluminum foil.
2. Mix the Meatball Base
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef (or turkey), blended smooth cottage cheese, breadcrumbs (or almond flour), egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined (avoid overmixing so the meatballs stay tender).
3. Stuff the Meatballs
- Divide the meat mixture into equal portions (about 10–12 portions).
- Take one portion, flatten it slightly in your palm, place a cube of mozzarella cheese right in the center, and wrap the meat around the cheese, sealing the edges completely so no cheese is exposed. Roll it gently into a ball.
4. Bake
- Arrange the stuffed meatballs in your baking dish (you can pour a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the pan first if desired).
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for turkey or 160°F (71°C) for beef, and the exterior is golden brown.
5. Serve
- Serve warm with extra warm marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy the gooey, melty center!
Nutritional Profile (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~310 kcal
- Protein: ~34g
- Carbohydrates: ~6g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Sugars: ~2g
- Fat: ~16g
- Saturated Fat: ~7g
- Sodium: ~480mg