Description
Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are flavorful meatballs packed with ground beef, fresh herbs, and bold spices inspired by Mexican cuisine. Seared to develop a savory crust and then baked in zesty Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies, these meatballs offer a perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and cheesy tastes. Served with fresh lime wedges, they make a great appetizer or main dish with a tangy twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 jalapeño pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Garnish
- 1 can (15 oz) Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies
- Fresh lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs later.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
- Add Cheese and Chips: Incorporate the shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips into the meat mixture, mixing thoroughly to combine all flavors and textures.
- Bind with Egg: Pour the beaten egg into the mixture and mix well. The egg acts as a binder to help hold the meatballs together during cooking.
- Form Meatballs: Using your hands, shape the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs to ensure even cooking.
- Sear Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat, then add the meatballs. Sear them until browned on all sides, approximately 5 minutes, to create a flavorful crust.
- Add Sauce: Pour the Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over the seared meatballs in the skillet, coating them with sauce.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges to add a zesty brightness.
Notes
- For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño pepper or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Ensure the skillet used for searing is ovenproof to allow seamless transfer to the oven.
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
- The crushed tortilla chips add a nice crunch and help retain moisture in the meatballs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Mexican meatballs, spicy meatballs, baked meatballs, ground beef recipe, jalapeño meatballs, cheesy meatballs
