Italian Skillet Meatballs

I'm here for these Italian skillet meatballs!

Homemade Italian pork and beef meatballs are cooked in a skillet with spinach, garlic, marinara, fresh mozzarella and basil.

They make for an easy weeknight meal with so much flavor!

How to make Italian skillet meatballs

Featured Ingredients

For the meatballs:

• Ground beef and pork: My choice for the most juicy Italian meatballs.
• Eggs and breadrumbs: Act as binders to hold the meatballs together.
• Parmesan: For that cheesy, savory flavor.
• Dijon: May sound odd, but a bit of Dijon makes the meatballs even more juicy and flavorful.
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper.

For the skillet:

• Olive oil: Used to saute the meatballs but also adds a bit of that trademark olive oil flavor.
• Spinach: For a pop of color and a big boost of nutrition.
• Garlic: You can never have too much.
• Marinara: Your favorite jar or homemade will work.
• Mozzarella: Fresh balls of mozzarella melt into the sauce and meatballs.
• Basil: A little bit of freshly chopped basil goes a long way to freshen up this skillet.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Fit a baking sheet with a wire rack and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix beef, pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, mustard and spices until well combined.
4. Form equal-sized meatballs, about 2 inches each in diameter, and place on the wire rack.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until browned.
6. In a cast iron or oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil to medium high heat.
7. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
8. Stir in garlic and season with salt and pepper. Place cooked meatballs in the skillet and cover with marinara, then top with slices of mozzarella.
9. Place skillet in the oven and cook 6-8 minutes, until marinara is hot and cheese is melted.
10. Turn oven to a low broil and broil 2-3 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and browned.
11. Serve with fresh basil.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

• Instead of ground beef and pork: Use any combination of ground meat, such as beef, pork, turkey or chicken.
• Instead of spinach: Use chopped kale.
• Instead of fresh mozzarella: Use shredded mozzarella.
• Instead of fresh basil: Stir in a teaspoon or two of dried basil to the marinara sauce.
• To serve: Serve as-is, or with a side of steamed, roasted or sauteed veggies, or with a big green salad.

Nutrition Considerations

• To make this gluten free: Use gluten free panko breadcrumbs. Be sure all ingredients you choose are gluten free.
• To make this dairy free: Use dairy free cheese or skip it.
• To make this nut free: This recipe does not contain nuts. Be sure all ingredients you choose are nut free.
• To make this egg free: Try making the meatballs with an egg replacer, such as Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer or a flax 'egg' (although I haven't tested this).

Comfort food recipes the fam will love:

• Cheeseburger Macaroni
• White Pizza with Spinach and Bacon
• Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake
• Tater Tot Casserole
• Cornflake Crusted Buttermilk Chicken

Italian Skillet Meatballs

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Italian pork and beef meatballs cooked in a skillet with spinach, garlic, marinara, fresh mozzarella and basil.

• Author: Julie Andrews
• Prep Time: 15-20 mins
• Cook Time: 20-25 mins
• Total Time: 35-45 mins
• Yield: Makes 12 meatballs 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking, Stove-Top
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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Meatballs:

• 1-pound lean ground beef
• 1-pound lean ground pork
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 1 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ½ tablespoon dried oregano leaves
• ¾ teaspoon coarse salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Skillet:

• ½ tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups chopped baby spinach
• 3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• Pinch coarse salt and ground black pepper
• 3 cups marinara
• 4-ounce ball fresh mozzarella, sliced
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Fit a baking sheet with a wire rack and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix beef, pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, mustard and spices until well combined. Form equal-sized meatballs, about 2 inches each in diameter, and place on the wire rack. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until browned.
3. In a cast iron or oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil to medium high heat. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic and season with salt and pepper. Place cooked meatballs in the skillet and cover with marinara, then top with slices of mozzarella. Place skillet in the oven and cook 6-8 minutes, until marinara is hot and cheese is melted. Turn oven to a low broil and broil 2-3 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and browned.
4. Serve with fresh basil.

Notes

Cooking Tip: Make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. Use them in this skillet or for a quick and easy main dish.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 meatballs
• Calories: 405
• Sugar: 9g
• Sodium: 598mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 172mg