Giada's Spicy Smoked Mozzarella Meatballs

Giada's Spicy Smoked Mozzarella Meatballs
(From Giada on TV)
(makes 14-16 meatballs)

Ingredients

    1 small onion, grated (on box grater)
    1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
    2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
    1/3 cup italian-style bread crumbs
    1 large egg
    2 tablespoons of ketchup
    3 garlic cloves, minced
    1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    1 teaspoon kosher salt
    1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    8 ounces ground beef
    8 ounces ground veal
    2 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, cut into 14-16 (1/2-inch) cubes

Directions

    Position an oven rack in lower 1/3 of oven.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    In a large bowl, combine the onion, parsley, parmesan, bread crumbs, egg, ketchup/tomato paste, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.  Mix ingredients.
    Add both meats to the bowl.  Using your hands, combine all ingredients gently but thoroughly.  You do not want to over-mix or your meatballs will be tough.
    Shape the meat mixture into 14-16 (1 1/2-inch-diameter) meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
    Make an indention in each meatball and place a cube of mozzarella inside.  Reform the meatball so that the mozzarella is completely covered with the meat mixture.
    Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes or until cooked through.  Cook time may vary depending on the size of your meatballs.