Southwest Meatballs Recipes

TEX MEX MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the ground beef, bread crumbles, milk, cilantro, parsley, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Mix together well with your hands. Scoop out 1-tablespoon portions, then place 1 piece of cubed pepper jack into each portion and roll them into balls with your hands. Place the meatballs on the lined baking sheets and freeze for the meatballs to firm up, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in 5 batches of 25, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Cook, turning the meatballs to make sure they brown all over, 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels. Serve over rice, in tacos or as appetizers, recipes follow.
• To freeze: Put the cooked meatballs in a single layer on lined baking sheets and put in the freezer. Once frozen, divide them into freezer bags, about 25 per bag, and return them to the freezer.
• To reheat: Place the frozen meatballs on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.
• For meatballs over rice (8 servings): Divide 2 cups cooked rice among 8 serving plates. Top with 3 meatballs each, then spoon on 2 tablespoons salsa and 2 tablespoons sour cream on each. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and add a wedge of lime to each plate.
• For meatball tacos (8 servings): Warm 8 large soft corn tortillas in a microwave, about 30 seconds. Put one on each serving plate, then top each with 2 tablespoons shredded iceberg lettuce, 3 meatballs, 2 tablespoons grated Cheddar and 2 tablespoons pico de gallo. Fold up and serve.
• For meatball appetizers (25 meatballs): Pour 1 1/2 cups guacamole into a bowl. Put the bowl on a platter and surround the bowl with 25 meatballs. Stick toothpicks into some of the meatballs. Put some spare toothpicks in a container and put on the platter. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

HOT AND CHEESY BAKED MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Add the arrabbiata sauce to a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and top with the peppers. Add the meatballs, then bake until the meatballs are cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the oven, then turn the oven to the broiler setting.
• Sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes over the meatballs, then lay a slice of mozzarella over the top of each meatball. Place under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes to melt the cheese, watching closely so that nothing burns. Scatter over the torn basil.
• Serve with crusty bread and a dressed salad.

SPICY SOUTHWESTERN MEATBALL SOUP

Steps:

• Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, fajita seasoning, cumin, salt, cilantro, and egg until well-combined. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange on a lightly greased baking sheet.
• Bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes or until browned, turning occasionally.
• Sauté onion and carrot in hot oil in a Dutch oven for 4 to 5 minutes or until tender.
• Add zucchini, garlic, cumin, coriander, tomato paste, chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly (Do not let garlic brown).
• Stir in meatballs, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and salt.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 35 minutes.
• Stir in cilantro.
• Garnish as desired with lime wedges, sour cream, diced avocado, or cilantro sprigs and enjoy!

SOUTHWESTERN MINI TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a bowl Mix together yogurt, salsa, cumin and chipotle chili powder. Set 1 1/2 cups aside in the refrigerator.
• In another bowl mix together turkey, crushed chips, egg, remaining seasoned yogurt, cilantro, corn, black beans. Using a small scoop spoon, make tablespoon sized balls, and place on a lightly greased shallow baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Serve meat balls on shredded lettuce with reserved sauce for dipping.

SOUTHWEST MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Put the bread in a large bowl with the milk and let soak until the liquid is absorbed. Add the beef, eggs, black pepper, onion, garlic, and parsley.
• Thoroughly mix the ingredients. Shape the mixture firmly into 50 (1 inch) meatballs, placing 1 olive in the center of each meatball.
• Put the meatballs in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
• Remove the meatballs with a slotted spoon and put in a 4 quart sauce pot. Add the salsa. Cook over medium heat until hot and bubbling. Serve with toothpicks.