Tex Mex Spicy Meatballs

Get ready to spice up dinnertime with these bold and flavorful Tex Mex Spicy Meatballs! Made with a blend of ground beef and pork, these tender meatballs are infused with aromatic spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, along with fresh cilantro and a kick of jalapeño. Sear them to golden perfection before simmering in a smoky, chipotle-tomato sauce that’s infused with lime for a zesty finish. Perfect for serving over fluffy rice, with warm tortillas, or a crisp side salad, this dish brings all the vibrant, zesty flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine to your table in under an hour. Whether you're meal prepping or hosting a fiesta, these juicy, saucy meatballs are sure to wow!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound ground pork
• 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 medium onion
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 small jalapeño
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1.5 cups tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Finely dice the onion, cilantro, and jalapeño (remove the seeds for less heat, if desired) and add them to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

In the same bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, panko bread crumbs, egg, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.

Step 4

Form the mixture into meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding approximately 20-24 meatballs.

Step 5

Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Sear the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned all over.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ground coriander, and lime juice.

Step 7

Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs in the skillet. Use a spoon to ensure all the meatballs are coated in the sauce.

Step 8

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 15 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 9

Serve the Tex Mex Spicy Meatballs hot on top of rice, alongside a fresh salad, or with warm tortillas. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1344.5 grams (1344.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2434

Total Fat 171.90g	220%
Saturated Fat 56.90g	285%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18.80g
Cholesterol 725mg	242%
Sodium 4090mg	178%
Total Carbohydrate 71.10g	26%
Dietary Fiber 9.80g	35%
Total Sugars 12.50g
Protein 154.70g	309%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 335mg	26%
Iron 16mg	91%
Potassium 1562mg	33%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.1%

Protein: 25.3%

Carbs: 11.6%