Mozzarella-Stuffed Pesto Turkey Meatballs

Mozzarella cubes are tucked inside ground turkey meatballs seasoned with onion, garlic, pesto, and Italian cheese. The stuffed meatballs are baked in the oven and finished in a simmering pan of marinara sauce.

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 486 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 pounds ground turkey
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup prepared pesto
• 1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Place the ground turkey, onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, parsley, pesto, milk, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix until evenly blended, then form into 1 3/4-inch meatballs. Make a hole in the meatball with your finger and place a cheese cube in the hole. Seal the meatball around the cheese and place on a nonstick baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the meatballs.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes. Heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over low heat. Bring to a simmer, and place the baked meatballs in the marinara sauce for about 2 minutes.