These cheesy baked meatballs are everything we crave in comfort food! Tender and juicy meatballs baked to perfection in a rich homemade marinara sauce, then topped with creamy burrata cheese. It's simple, satisfying and packed with flavor. This dish is perfect or a cozy night in. Serve it up with your favorite sides and dig into this gooey cheesy goodness!
These meatballs are incredibly tender and loaded with rich flavors. The combination of the creamy burrata melting over the top and the fresh herbs makes every bite delicious. Whether you're serving it with a salad or over pasta, this dish is guaranteed to please!
Ingredients
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb ground beef or turkey
½ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
⅓ cup fresh herbs (parsley, basil), plus extra for topping
¾ cup breadcrumbs
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried basil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup chicken or beef stock
24 oz marinara sauce
8 oz burrata cheese, pulled apart
Directions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)..
Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, minced garlic, ground meat, parmesan, fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—don’t overmix or your meatballs will get tough
Form the meatballs: Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. You should have about 10–12 meatballs.
Sear the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re golden brown.
Bake: Transfer the seared meatballs into a baking dish. Pour marinara sauce and stock over the meatballs, making sure they’re nestled in the sauce. Bake for 20 minutes, until fully cooked.
Add the burrata: Remove the dish from the oven and tear burrata over the meatballs. Pop it back into the oven for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melty and dreamy.
Serve: Sprinkle fresh herbs and a little more parmesan over the top, and serve piping hot with your favorite side dish!
Recipe Note
If gluten free, substitute bread crumbs with rolled oats, almond flour, chickpea or garbanzo bean crumbs, gluten-free crackers like Ritz, Saltines, or Club crackers, sugar free cornflakes, gluten free croutons, crushed seeds or quinoa.
