Stuffed Saucy Meatballs & Pasta Ground Beef

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Servings
   Serves 4-6

Prep Time
   10 minutes

Cook Time
   25 minutes

Cooking Method
   Roasting

Beef Type
   Ground Beef

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 12 small balls fresh mozzarella cheese (about 1/3 oz. each)
• 1 jar (25-26 oz.) spicy red pepper pasta sauce or other pasta sauce
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh oregano
• hot cooked spaghetti rigati or linguine
• fresh oregano sprigs (optional)

Instructions

Heat oven to 400°F. Combine ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs, garlic, 1 tablespoon 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-inch baking pan. Bake in 400°F oven 15 to 20 minutes to medium (160°F) doneness, until not pink in center and juices show no pink color.

Meanwhile heat pasta sauce in large saucepan until hot, stirring occasionally. Add meatballs and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Spoon meatballs and sauce onto pasta. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped oregano. Garnish with oregano sprigs, if desired.

Suggestions

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.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition Info per serving:  (1/6 of recipe): 627 calories; 23 g fat (9 g saturated fat; 8 g monounsaturated fat); 160 mg cholesterol; 1027 mg sodium; 64 g carbohydrate; 3.6 g fiber; 38 g protein; 9.3 mg niacin; 0.4 mg vitamin B6; 2.3 mcg vitamin B12; 5.6 mg iron; 54.6 mcg selenium; 6.5 mg zinc.