GROUND****Meatballs a la Pizzaiola

By Unblond1

These were very good, although I didn't get around to stuffing them with cheese or olives - they were good anyway, dipped in marinara sauce or pizza sauce

Ingredients

• 6 servings
• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 1 large shallot, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves minced or grated garlic
• 2 tbsp. sun-dried tomato crumbles
• 2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
• pinch each dried oregano and basil
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) Kraft Italiano 4 cheese light
• 20 grams grated Parmesan
• 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 lb. medium ground beef (or use 1/3 ground pork or turkey with the beef)
• 2 ounces smoked mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (or try olives in some)
• 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed

Details

Servings 6
Preparation time 25mins
Cooking time 44mins
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

* In a food processor, pulse together the shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and salt. Process until blended. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the beef and using clean hands, stir until well combined. Divide the mixutre in half and freeze one portion for another meal. Form the remaining mixture into equal-size meatballs about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

* Insert 1 cube smoked mozzarella cheese or one stuffed olive into the center of each meatball and form the meat around it, completely enclosing the cheese or olive. Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet as formed. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Cook from cold.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes for medium doneness. Set aside to cool slightly, and serve with warm marinara sauce

Nutrition Facts - 6 Servings (w/smoked cheese and marinara)

Calories 260.3
Total Fat 17.9 g
Saturated Fat 8.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.4 g
Cholesterol 62.6 mg
Sodium 357.7 mg
Potassium 145.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 5.0 g
Dietary Fiber 0.7 g
Sugars 0.0 g
Protein 21.7 g