Exploding with gooey mozzarella cheese and super-moist from the pesto, these flavorful turkey meatballs are a weeknight dinner dream!
Can we talk about the fact that meatballs filled with ‘zee green stuff and exploding with all the cheese is just the ONLY way to handle a Monday?
Smoothies are good too, as we learned last week but I’m in a savory mood this particular Monday.
A gimme-all-the-cheese kinda mood. This past weekend was pretty fast-paced and I’m ready for ALL the comfort food to hit my face today.
With a side of these brownies too, obviiiiii. Chocolate is currently on clearance, don’tcha know. 😉
So these meatballs, guys. They are the REAL DEAL kinda comfort food. We’ve got the cheese. We’ve got the pesto. It’s ALL there wrapped up into one cute little meatball.
One meatball that soon turns into 15 that you end up stuffing in ‘yo face.
Whoooops…
Sorry, fam. I didn’t mean to eat all your dinner.
Speaking of stuffing, can we talk about the whole stuffed-with-a-surprise-of-zee-cheese feature that these meatballs got goin’ on? It’s true and it is GROOVY.
I mean, look at that gooey goodness! Peeeeeeeeeerfection.
Now that we’ve got that cheese business all taken care of, we’d better have a dang good meatball to surround all that perfection.
Done and DONE, folks. These meatballs are the bombety-bomb and it’s all thanks to the green stuff…..wait for iiiiiiit….
Presenting the PESTO. Welcome to the meatball-party, Mr. P.
We all know how I feel about that green business, guys. I freakin’ heart pesto and so I went all gung-ho on you and snuck it into some turkey-meatball awesomeness.
Oh.my.goodness. Who woulda’ figgered that pesto would make these meatballs so freakin’ awesome? I mean, the TEXTURE of these little babies! The extreme FLAVOR-NESS….
DYNO-MITE. I am obsessed. ♥♥
While the meatballs bake, some of the cheese will just kinda….explode out of the meatballs and melt down the sides. This is A-OK, folks. There’s plenty of cheese still inside that lovely meatball waiting for you.
And to be honest, just the sight of that melty heaven coming outta those meatballs is a pretty gorgeous sight to behold.
I really just need my own personal XL plate filled with these meatballs today.
And there’s a very good chance I may not be able to wait until dinnertime either.
XOXO, cheesy pesto meatballs. You make my life complete. MUAH!

Cheese-Stuffed Pesto Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup prepared pesto
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 16 1/2 in cubes mozzarella cheese
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, pesto, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form into 1-in balls. Flatten each meatball and place 1 cube of cheese in center. Wrap meatball dough around cheese and gently roll into a ball. Place meatballs on prepared baking sheet.
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Bake meatballs at 375F 20-25 minutes or until meat registers 165F. Serve meatballs immediately warm.
More meatball fun from awesome bloggers! Because I am obsessed….
Feta-Stuffed Greek Meatballs — Sweet Peas and Saffron
Raspberry-Balsamic Meatballs — The Food Charlatan
Slow-Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs — The Recipe Runner
You had me at pesto! I absolutely love that stuff in just about anything, so I’m in awe of these meatballs! What a creative idea, Sarah! Sounds like it pairs so perfectly with the cheese, too. Love this dinner idea!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Coconut Oil Chocolate Hazelnut Squares
Yay, I’m glad that I’m not the only one crazy about the pesto. 😀 Thanks Gayle!
Oooh, cheese stuffed meatballs? Yes, please! I love how flavorful these look! Pesto makes everything taste amazing!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating recently posted…Blood Orange Poppy Seed Cake.
Thanks Kelly and agreed! Pesto is just awesome. 🙂
Okay, that cheese oozing out of the meatballs has my mouth watering. I love stuffing meatballs with cheese. It has to be the best. And the pesto sounds like a wonderful addition to the awesomeness going on here! Pinning!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Swoon-worthy Recipes, 8
Thanks Jen and right?! Cheese-stuffed meatballs are just heaven-on-earth. 😉 Thanks for the pin too, friend!
omg these look so delicious!! All that cheese oozing out of the meatballs and pesto – I am so waiting for summer so I can get fresh basil!! 🙂
Ami@NaiveCookCooks recently posted…This Week’s Dinner Plan : Week of 02.16.15
Thanks Ami! I’m looking forward to fresh basil again too!
Pesto + Cheese?!? Yep. I’m totally in 😛
Rachael | Spache the Spatula recently posted…Chunky Guacamole
Thanks, Rachael!
Oh my gosh, these are seriously the ultimate meatballs! All that melty cheese oozing out of the middle looks absolutely amazing! Love the pesto in here too! I can just imagine how flavorful they are, they look perfect!
Thank you, Kelly!!
I LOVE pesto anything, but I’ve never heard of pesto meatballs before! They sound (and look, I might add) totally delicious, Sarah!
Mandie @ Mandie’s Kitchen recently posted…Baking The Blogs SBA Pumpkin Cookies
Thank you, Mandie!! If you love pesto, then you definitely need to try these meatballs!
Sarah these pesto turkey meatballs sound like the perfect weeknight meal! Pinned! I am looking forward to trying them!!
Mariah @ Mariah’s Pleasing Plates recently posted…Banana Cream Pie Protein Shake
Thank you for the pin, Mariah! I hope you get around to trying these meatballs soon!
All that oozy, warm, melting cheese is just making my mouth water Sarah. Delicious post and images!
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Orange Blossom, Rosemary and Ricotta Hotcakes
Thank you Thaila!! xoxoxo
These meatballs look incredible Sarah! Love that cheese oozing out of the middle.
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Blue Cheese Drop Biscuits
Thanks so much Christin! 🙂
YESssss! I am so with you…I’m always in a gimme-all-the-cheese kinda mood! I love seeing these cheesy goodness oozing out of those tasty meatballs! Pinned!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen recently posted…Healthy Cabbage Soup
Thanks for pinning and for the cheese love, Kristi!! haha. 🙂
LOVE the idea of pesto with meatballs!!! what a great recipe and these look so delicious!!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Asian Soba Noodle Broth Bowls for #SundaySupper
Thanks Alice!!
I use ground turkey a lot for meatballs, and adding pesto and stuffing them with cheese can only make it better! Sign me up! 🙂
marcie recently posted…Green Coconut Kiwi Banana Smoothie Bowl {and a giveaway!}
I’ve noticed that ground turkey almost ALWAYS gives you a super-moist meatball, plus it cuts back on calories which is always a plus! 🙂
Now these sound delicious! Oh my gosh, can you imagine if you used these meatballs to make a meatball sandwich?! Holy yum!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely recently posted…Bacon Wrapped Dates
GAH! I think you just changed my life, Natalie! Must.try.asap. 🙂
I don’t know what looks better… that gooey cheese or the bright, beautiful pesto! Yum!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel recently posted…Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Both my favorite parts! 😉 Thanks Jess!
I can’t wait to try these Sarah! YUMMY!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! recently posted…Lime Bundt Cake
You’ll love them, Amber!