Crock Pot Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

What could make meatballs better than stuffing them with a chunk of mozzarella? This crock pot recipe is so easy and results in hearty & flavorful meatballs oozing with melty, cheesy goodness. You could make these as just an appetizer with marinara for dipping or serve on top of spaghetti with tomato sauce.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 cup panko bread crumbs (I used the Italian flavor)

1 egg + 1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon basil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

3-4 mozzarella string cheese sticks

 Directions

{1}

Chop each cheese stick into half inch pieces (about 6-8 for each stick). Place on a plate and chill in the freezer until ready to use.

{2}

In a large bowl, add ground beef, bread crumbs, egg and egg yolk, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and salt & pepper. Mush the ingredients together with your hands until thoroughly combined.

{3}

Remove cheese from freezer. Scoop out about 4 tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll into a ball. Gently push a piece of the chilled mozzarella into the middle of the meatball. Roll the ball in your hands to completely cover the hole completely. Place inside a greased crock pot and repeat with remaining meat and cheese.

{4}

When all meatballs are made and in the crock pot, cover and cook for 1-2 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low until the meat is cooked through. Enjoy as an appetizer with toothpicks & marinara or piled on top of a plate of spaghetti and tomato sauce.