Description
These Easy Baked Mexican Meatballs are tender, juicy, and full of Tex-Mex flavor! Roasted poblano peppers, cilantro, and enchilada sauce come together for the perfect weeknight dinner or party appetizer everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1 poblano pepper
- 1½ cups Fritos
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 small onion, chopped into chunks
- 2–3 garlic cloves
- ½ cup cilantro, firmly packed
- 2 eggs
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 20 ounces red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
1. Turn broiler on to high and place the top rack 5–6 inches below the heat. Broil the poblano pepper for 6–8 minutes, turning every 1–2 minutes until the skin is blistered and blackened.
2. Place the roasted pepper in a ziplock bag to steam for 10 minutes. Peel off the skin and remove the stem and seeds.
3. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
4. In a food processor, crush Fritos into fine crumbs (about ½ cup). Mix crumbs with milk in a large bowl and let soak.
5. Add onion, garlic, cilantro, and roasted pepper to the food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
6. Add the chopped mixture to the soaked Fritos along with eggs, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
7. Add the ground beef and gently mix until just combined. Do not overwork the meat.
8. Shape into 1½-inch meatballs (about 35 total) and place on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly browned.
10. Meanwhile, in a large pot, combine enchilada sauce, chicken broth, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over high heat.
11. Add baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
12. Serve warm over rice or with Fritos for dipping.
Notes
The meatballs are mild—use spicy enchilada sauce for more heat.
For a cheesy twist, mix shredded cheddar or pepper jack into the meat mixture.
Freeze cooked meatballs in sauce for up to 2 months.
Let meatballs rest in the sauce for a few minutes before serving for maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 437
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 29
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 24
- Cholesterol: 122