Description
These Cheesy Mexican Meatballs combine flavorful ground beef with traditional Mexican spices and melted cheese, all baked in a rich enchilada sauce. Perfect for a family dinner, this dish offers a spicy kick with the option to customize the heat level, making it a crowd-pleaser that’s both comforting and vibrant.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb Ground Beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup Oats (can be substituted with breadcrumbs or almond flour)
- 1 large Egg (binds the meat mixture)
- 1/4 cup Red Enchilada Sauce (mild or spicy based on preference)
- Seasonings to taste: salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, oregano, cumin, chili powder (adjust chili powder for heat)
- Hot Sauce to taste (optional)
Sauce and Topping
- 1 3/4 cups Red Enchilada Sauce (for pouring over meatballs)
- 2 cups Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack)
- Cilantro to taste (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the meatballs from sticking while baking.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the red enchilada sauce with the ground beef, oats, egg, and all the seasonings. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated; adding hot sauce is optional based on your desired spice level.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the meat mixture into evenly sized meatballs and arrange them in the greased baking dish, spacing them slightly apart for even cooking.
- Add Sauce: Pour the remaining 1 3/4 cups of red enchilada sauce evenly over the arranged meatballs, ensuring they are well coated and will stay moist during baking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to trap moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through gently.
- Add Cheese: Remove the foil carefully, sprinkle the cheese evenly over the meatballs, and return the dish to the oven uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to melt and slightly brown the cheese.
- Serve: Once baked, serve the meatballs warm. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Oats can be replaced with breadcrumbs or almond flour depending on dietary preferences.
- The heat level of the dish can be adjusted by varying the amount of chili powder and hot sauce.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free oats or breadcrumbs.
- Make sure meatballs are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Allow the meatballs to rest for a few minutes after baking for better flavor absorption.
