Just call me Mama.

30 Jan

I think everyone can say that spaghetti and meatballs are comfort food. Or maybe I’m just assuming this because I great up in an Italian family. The kind family where when asked in school, “What is your family’s traditional dish at Christmas (Easter, Thanksgiving) ?” I yelled, “LASAGNA!”

So it’s no wonder that I’m a big meatball fan. And likewise, I’m a huge cheese fan. Who isn’t? Will you believe me when I say that this recipe…

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs (adapted from Rachael Ray’s Caprese-Stuffed Meatballs with Tomato-Pesto Sauce)

You will need:

4 slices of bread
3/4 cup milk
2 pounds of meat. I used a ground beef, veal and pork mix.
4 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
A small handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped
a handful of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
1 egg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
a container of bocconcini

1.) Preheat oven to 425°. Tear bread up and bread and milk and make sure all of the bread absorbs the milk. Set aside.

2.) Combine meat, garlic, parsley, egg, salt and pepper, and my favorite….a handful of cheese.

This is one of the many reasons why I love Rachael Ray. Her recipes include measurements like “a handful”.

3.) Squeeze as much of the milk out of the bread as possible. Combine ingredients. You might want to take your rings off for this one

4.) And now for the star of the show!

Separate meat into 16 pieces. Make the pieces into a ball with a well in the middle. Put a piece of bocconcini in the well. Form the meat around the bocconcini with your hands until it is completely covered. Place meatballs on a baking sheet, separating evenly.

5.) Drizzle meatballs with olive oil or as Rach would say, EVOO. Cook for 15-18 minutes.

The rest is up to you! The original recipe called for a pesto/tomato sauce combo but I decided to just use my Mom’s homemade marinara sauce.

I served the meatballs over spaghetti with a tossed salad and garlic bread. What kind of Italian would I be if I didn’t go with this combo?

Melted mozzarella cheese inside a meatball? Oh yes.

Just try to make these meatballs and not say, “Mama Mia!”

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Comments 19 Comments
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19 Responses to “Just call me Mama.”

movesnmunchies January 30, 2011 at 1:08 pm #

woohoo! these look amazing!

Reply
- allieatfood January 31, 2011 at 11:30 pm #
  
  They taste even amazing-er!
  
  Reply
Lou Reginato Jr January 30, 2011 at 9:56 pm #

Love the meatball recipe..Yes us Chef always use the Handful of stuff..Love your site..Stay Safe

Reply
yourdailygrace January 30, 2011 at 11:15 pm #

Oh my goodness. These look amazing…and my boyfriend could love them. Unfortunately I’m a new-ish vegetarian so I might have to see if I adapt this recipe accordingly!

Reply
- allieatfood January 31, 2011 at 11:32 pm #
  
  Let me know if you try a vegetarian version! I don’t eat meat all that often so I’d love to try doing it with veggies or some other ingredient!
  
  Reply
Shoshana January 31, 2011 at 7:22 am #

This recipe looks amazing Definitely making this for my pasta-loving fiance for supper!

Reply
- allieatfood January 31, 2011 at 11:34 pm #
  
  Let me know how it goes!
  
  Reply
Kayla January 31, 2011 at 1:41 pm #

Those meatballs look so yummy, love the cheese in the middle!

Reply
- allieatfood January 31, 2011 at 11:34 pm #
  
  That’s the best part!!
  
  Reply
This Italian Family January 31, 2011 at 2:48 pm #

This just looks fabulous! I hear ya on the Italian comfort food!

Reply
- allieatfood January 31, 2011 at 11:34 pm #
  
  From one Italian to another (non) Italian girl, hehe
  
  Reply
Krissy January 31, 2011 at 4:53 pm #

I made these last week and my blog post on them is tomorrow!! Great minds think alike

Reply
- allieatfood January 31, 2011 at 11:35 pm #
  
  They do! Can’t wait to see your post!
  
  Reply
Euniece January 31, 2011 at 4:56 pm #

looks delicious and not too difficult to make! i’ll definately have to make this next time im home to impress the fam!

Reply
- allieatfood January 31, 2011 at 11:35 pm #
  
  I’m sure they’ll love them
  
  Reply
Jersey Girl Cooks January 31, 2011 at 9:24 pm #

Love the cheese in the meatballs! Glad to find another Jersey girl food blog!

Reply
- allieatfood January 31, 2011 at 11:36 pm #
  
  Yes, can’t wait to read your blog! We should do a meet up!
  
  Reply
BrittFit February 1, 2011 at 3:49 pm #

haha I love this post…those look delish ( even though I’m a veggie )

Reply
New Jersey Nick February 2, 2011 at 10:42 pm #

Awesome. I remember I had something like that once. Is it wrong to admit that it might have been at Macaroni Grill?

Reply

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Just call me Mama.

I think everyone can say that spaghetti and meatballs are comfort food. Or maybe I’m just assuming this because I great up in an Italian family. The kind family where when asked in school, “What is your family’s traditional dish at Christmas (Easter, Thanksgiving) ?” I yelled, “LASAGNA!”

So it’s no wonder that I’m a big meatball fan. And likewise, I’m a huge cheese fan. Who isn’t? Will you believe me when I say that this recipe…

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs (adapted from Rachael Ray’s Caprese-Stuffed Meatballs with Tomato-Pesto Sauce)

You will need:

4 slices of bread

3/4 cup milk

2 pounds of meat. I used a ground beef, veal and pork mix.

4 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped

A small handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped

a handful of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

1 egg

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

a container of bocconcini

1.) Preheat oven to 425°. Tear bread up and bread and milk and make sure all of the bread absorbs the milk. Set aside.

2.) Combine meat, garlic, parsley, egg, salt and pepper, and my favorite….a handful of cheese.

This is one of the many reasons why I love Rachael Ray. Her recipes include measurements like “a handful”.

3.) Squeeze as much of the milk out of the bread as possible. Combine ingredients. You might want to take your rings off for this one

4.) And now for the star of the show!

Separate meat into 16 pieces. Make the pieces into a ball with a well in the middle. Put a piece of bocconcini in the well. Form the meat around the bocconcini with your hands until it is completely covered. Place meatballs on a baking sheet, separating evenly.

5.) Drizzle meatballs with olive oil or as Rach would say, EVOO. Cook for 15-18 minutes.

The rest is up to you! The original recipe called for a pesto/tomato sauce combo but I decided to just use my Mom’s homemade marinara sauce.

I served the meatballs over spaghetti with a tossed salad and garlic bread. What kind of Italian would I be if I didn’t go with this combo?

Melted mozzarella cheese inside a meatball? Oh yes.

Just try to make these meatballs and not say, “Mama Mia!”

Like this:

19 Responses to “Just call me Mama.”

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