Main Dishes

Tex Mex Meatballs

Tex Mex Meatballs are flavored with jalapeno, chipotle pepprs, cumin, and cilantro, simmered in enchilada sauce and covered in a

  • Serves 5
  • Prep 5 minutes
  • Cook 20 minutes
  • Total 25 minutes

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Tex Mex Meatballs

There’s cheese in the meatballs and on top of the meatballs for lots of cheesy goodness! Serve over rice for a dinner that is sure to be a family favorite.

Tex Mex Meatballs can be made right on the stovetop in less than 30 minutes. Leftovers reheat well.

How To Make

To make them, mix together 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef, chopped onions, a minced jalapeno, an egg, cilantro, cumin, Mexican shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, plus 1/2 cup of crushed corn chips for binder.

Tex Mex Meatballs in cast iron skillet.

How To Serve

Shape the mixture into 15 meatballs. Brown them in a little olive oil heated in a cast iron pan. If you don’t have a cast iron pan, no problem. Just use a regular skillet or a non-stick skillet.

Add 2 cans of red enchilada sauce, 1/2 cup of chicken broth, and 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes to cook the meatballs all the way through and thicken the sauce some. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese on top and then sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro.

Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer or over rice as a meal. Leftovers can be turned into an awesome sub!

Recipe Tips

  • Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef.
  • Crushed tortilla chips can be used instead of Frito chips.

Storage

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days and can be reheated in a microwave.

Tex Mex Meatballs

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More Tex Mex Recipes

Tex-Mex Meatballs

Recipe

Tex Mex Meatballs

Tex Mex Meatballs are flavored with jalapeno, chipotle pepprs, cumin, and cilantro, simmered in enchilada sauce and covered in a blanket of melted Mexican cheese. Such a delicious appetizer, gameday treat or dinner.

  • Serves 5
  • Prep 5 minutes
  • Cook 20 minutes
  • Total 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 jalapeno (minced)
  • 1/2 cup crushed corn chips (I use Fritos)
  • 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

  • 2 cans red enchilada sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo (minced)
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine all meatball ingredients, except olive oil, in a large bowl. Mix together. Shape into 15 meatballs.

  2. 2

    Heat oil in a 12-inch cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides.

  3. 3

    Add red enchilada sauce, chicken broth, and chipotle peppers. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes.

  4. 4

    Sprinkle cheese and cilantro on top and serve.

Notes

Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef.

Equipment

  • 12-inch cast iron pan

Nutrition

  • Calories610 kcal
  • Carbohydrates10 g
  • Protein36 g
  • Fat47 g
  • Saturated Fat19 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat3 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat19 g
  • Trans Fat2 g
  • Cholesterol177 mg
  • Sodium631 mg
  • Potassium488 mg
  • Fiber2 g
  • Sugar2 g
  • Vitamin A395 IU
  • Vitamin C5 mg
  • Calcium349 mg
  • Iron4 mg

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