Make Stuffed Meatballs Effortless With This Cheesy Shortcut

A cheesy stuffed meatball is a singular delight: the outside is meaty and charred, while the inside is gooey and succulent. It's a savory umami bomb that's begging to star in your next BBQ or family dinner. Stuffed meatballs sound like a lot of work, but there's one killer ingredient that makes them easy-peasy and cheesy: cheese curds. These squeaky byproducts of cheesemaking are beloved by denizens of America's dairy belt, but they're also ideal for stuffed meatballs, like mini Juicy Lucy burgers. While Velveeta (another popular stuffed meatball add-in) is not actual cheese and also kind of messy, cheese curds are ideal for stuffing. Simply encase them in your favorite meat blend for meatballs, then cook them up!

Perhaps the best aspect of cheese curd-stuffed meatballs is their versatility. Since they're so easy to make, you can whip them up in a jiffy for a delightful weeknight dinner. If you deep-fry them, they're like meatier cheese curds from a fair. Or, dip them in some ranch or marinara, and kids will love them. 

Speaking of marinara, how about taking your pasta dinner to the next level with curd-stuffed meatballs? Simply boil your noodles and add your favorite pasta sauce — celeb chef Ina Garten loves Rao's — and your spaghetti and meatballs will never be the same. In a sub roll or slider bun, you have a handheld that's absolutely packed with protein! Best of all, these meatballs work for advance planners, since you can readily make them ahead of time. We've covered the best way to freeze meatballs for meal prep, and the addition of cheese curds in the center makes no practical difference.

If you already have a beloved meatball recipe, you can adapt it effortlessly to stuffing with cheese curds. The meat blend's specifics are pretty inconsequential to the success of the stuffed meatball, yet they offer tons of opportunities for home cooks to really make this dish their own. Lots of cooks swear by a multi-meat recipe for meatballs, like beef and pork and/or veal. If it gives you juicier meatballs on their own, you're gonna love the same meatballs stuffed! We've even seen health-minded bloggers infuse their meatball mix with veggies like shredded carrot and zucchini for a nutrition and moisture boost. Since umami is the name of the game with a cheese curd in the center, don't be afraid to really go there with complementary seasoning, like soy sauce or Worcestershire in the meat, or a dash of MSG.

When it comes to stuffed meatballs, we like to deploy all the usual tips and tricks for the most tender meat so that the finished product has a luxurious, silky mouthfeel. Remember not to overmix, because doing so can make your meatballs tough. Some folks swear by soaking their binder, whether it's breadcrumbs or white bread, in a dish of milk. Grating cheese into the meat mixture also adds salt while really amping up the cheesiness of the stuffed meatballs. Great meatballs are an art, and upping your meatball game will make your cheese curd-stuffed specimens all the more delectable.