MY STORE: 
Stuffed Saucy Meatballs & Pasta
Courtesy of The Beef Checkoff 6 Servings • 20 Min. Prep Time • 25 Min. Cook Time| Ingredients |
|---|
| 1-1/2 lb. Ground Beef |
| 2 eggs, slightly beaten |
| 1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs |
| 3 cloves garlic, minced |
| 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh oregano, divided |
| 1 tsp. salt |
| 1/2 tsp. pepper |
| 12 small balls fresh mozzarella cheese (about 1/3 oz. each) |
| 1 jar (25-26 oz.) red pepper pasta sauce or other pasta sauce |
| hot cooked spaghetti, rigati, or linguine |
| fresh oregano sprigs (optional) |
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Combine Ground Beef, eggs, bread crumbs, garlic, 1 Tbsp. chopped oregano, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Divide mixture into 12 equal portions. Lightly shape into patties. Place 1 mozzarella ball in center of each patty. Shape beef around cheese until completely enclosed inside forming meatballs. Place meatballs on aluminum-foil-lined 15 x 10-in. baking pan. Bake in 400°F oven 15-20 min.
2. Meanwhile, heat pasta sauce in large saucepan until hot, stirring occasionally. Add meatballs and cook until heated through, about 5 min.
3. Spoon meatballs and sauce onto pasta. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp. chopped oregano. Garnish with oregano sprigs, if desired.
* Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Ground Beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160ºF. Color is not a reliable indicator of Ground Beef doneness.
* Cook's Tip: Dried oregano leaves may be substituted for fresh. Use 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves in meatball mixture. Add 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves to pasta sauce before heating.
* Recipe courtesy The Beef Checkoff
Nutrition:
Calories: 627; Total Fat: 23g; Saturated Fat: 9g; Cholesterol: 16mg; Total Carbs: 64g; Fiber: 4g; Protein: 38g; Sodium: 1207mg;