Skillet Meatballs with Marinara and Melty Mozzarella Recipe
This Skillet Meatballs with Marinara and Melty Mozzarella recipe offers juicy, flavorful meatballs simmered in rich marinara sauce and topped with bubbly melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for serving over pasta or with crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean for best flavor and juiciness)
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce & Topping
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let stand for 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs soften and absorb the milk, adding important moisture to the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: Add ground beef, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently by hand until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 18-20 golf-ball sized meatballs, ensuring they are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in a single layer and brown on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side, creating a golden crust that locks in juices and flavor.
- Simmer in Sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the meatballs in the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer gently for 15 minutes to cook through and infuse the meatballs with sauce flavor.
- Broil with Cheese: Preheat the oven broiler. Uncover skillet, sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the meatballs. Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts, bubbles, and turns slightly golden. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with extra chopped parsley, and serve hot from the skillet with pasta or crusty bread.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.
- Using 80/20 ground beef provides the best balance of flavor and moisture.
- If you don’t have a broiler, bake at 425°F for 5-7 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Use an oven-safe skillet like cast iron to go from stovetop to broiler safely.
- For gluten-free, substitute the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
