Print

Cheesy Mexican Meatballs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 78 reviews

These Cheesy Mexican Meatballs are a flavorful and hearty dish featuring ground beef mixed with spices and oats, baked in enchilada sauce, and topped with melted cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner with a spicy, cheesy twist inspired by classic Mexican flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 10 ounces red enchilada sauce, divided (mild preferred)
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3/4 cup oats, coarsely ground
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

Topping

  • 2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, monterey jack, colby jack, and/or pepper jack)
  • Cilantro for garnish, if desired

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce with the ground beef, coarsely ground oats, eggs, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, oregano, cumin, chili powder, and hot sauce if using. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the ingredients until evenly combined.
  3. Form Meatballs: Using your hands or a medium-sized cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), form the meat mixture into meatballs. Place each meatball into the prepared baking dish. The meatballs can be rustic in shape or perfectly round, depending on your preference.
  4. Add Sauce and Bake: Pour the remaining 3/4 cup of enchilada sauce evenly over the meatballs in the baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the meatballs to cook through and absorb the sauce flavors.
  5. Add Cheese and Finish Baking: After 30 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the meatballs. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve the meatballs hot, straight from the baking dish.

Notes

  • Coarsely grinding the oats ensures they blend well but still add texture and moisture to the meatballs.
  • Adjust the level of chili powder and hot sauce to customize the heat intensity to your liking.
  • You can substitute the beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • For gluten-free, ensure oats are certified gluten-free.
  • These meatballs can be served with rice, tortillas, or a side salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: Mexican meatballs, cheesy meatballs, enchilada sauce meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef meatballs

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/cheesy-mexican-meatballs-recipe/