Description
These Beef Enchilada Meatballs combine the hearty flavor of seasoned ground beef with classic Mexican enchilada sauce and melted cheddar cheese, baked to perfection. This comforting casserole-style dish is perfect for a family dinner and can be garnished with fresh cilantro, pico de gallo, and sour cream for extra zest.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (1 packet)
Sauce and Cheese
- 19 ounce can red enchilada sauce (one can)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
Garnish (optional)
- Cilantro
- Pico de Gallo
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350˚F to get it ready for baking the meatballs.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the lean ground beef, finely diced onion, milk, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and taco seasoning. Use your hands to thoroughly combine so all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form the Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into approximately 1.5-inch meatballs. You should end up with about 24 to 26 meatballs, depending on size.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Pour 1/4 cup of the red enchilada sauce into the bottom of a large casserole dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Arrange and Sauce the Meatballs: Place the meatballs evenly in the casserole dish and pour the remaining enchilada sauce over them, ensuring each meatball is well coated.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top of the sauced meatballs.
- Bake: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165˚F to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Serve: Top with optional garnishes such as fresh cilantro, pico de gallo, and sour cream before serving warm for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- Check the internal temperature of meatballs with a meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking.
- For extra spice, add diced jalapeños to the meat mixture or garnish with sliced chili peppers.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
