What ingredients do I need to make enchilada meatballs?

To make enchilada meatballs, you typically need ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork), breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, chopped onions, and seasonings such as chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. For the sauce, you can use a red or green enchilada sauce, either homemade or store-bought. Optional add-ins include shredded cheese and chopped cilantro to enhance flavor and texture.

How can I make enchilada meatballs gluten-free?

To prepare gluten-free enchilada meatballs, replace traditional breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Ensure the enchilada sauce you use doesn’t contain wheat or gluten-based thickeners; look for versions thickened with cornstarch or other gluten-free ingredients. Most other ingredients like ground meat, spices, and cheese are naturally gluten-free.

Can enchilada meatballs be made low carb or keto-friendly?

Yes, enchilada meatballs can fit into a low carb or keto diet by substituting the regular breadcrumbs with alternatives such as crushed pork rinds, almond meal, or coconut flour. Choose a low sugar enchilada sauce or make your own to avoid hidden carbs. These swaps reduce the carbohydrate content significantly while maintaining great flavor.

How should I serve enchilada meatballs for a complete meal?

Enchilada meatballs pair well with classic Mexican sides to create a balanced meal. Serve them over Mexican rice, cilantro lime cauliflower rice for a lighter option, or alongside black beans and corn. Toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro add freshness and flavor. Offering tortilla chips and salsa on the side can make the meal more festive.

How long do enchilada meatballs take to cook and what’s the best method?

Enchilada meatballs usually take about 20-25 minutes to bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). To ensure even cooking, shape the meatballs uniformly, place them in a single layer in a baking dish or skillet, and cover with enchilada sauce before baking. You can finish them with shredded cheese and broil for 2-3 minutes for a bubbly top. Cooking times may vary slightly based on meatball size.

Enchilada Meatballs Recipe With Savory Sauce And Mexican Flavors

Name: Enchilada Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients: – 1 pound (approximately 450g) ground beef (93% lean); – 1 large egg; – 3 large garlic cloves, minced; – 3 tablespoons minced cilantro; – 1/2 cup bread crumbs (about 50g); – 1 tablespoon chili powder; – 1 teaspoon cumin; – 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; – 1/2 teaspoon salt; – 1/4 teaspoon pepper; – 1 tablespoon olive oil; – 19-ounce (about 540ml) can red enchilada sauce; – 4-ounce (approximately 115g) block cheddar cheese, shredded; – diced tomatoes; – shredded cilantro; – black olives; – hot sauce; – avocados

Ingredients

– 1 pound (approximately 450g) ground beef (93% lean)

– 1 large egg

– 3 large garlic cloves, minced

– 3 tablespoons minced cilantro

– 1/2 cup bread crumbs (about 50g)

– 1 tablespoon chili powder

– 1 teaspoon cumin

– 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 1/4 teaspoon pepper

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 19-ounce (about 540ml) can red enchilada sauce

– 4-ounce (approximately 115g) block cheddar cheese, shredded

– diced tomatoes

– shredded cilantro

– black olives

– hot sauce

– avocados

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, egg, cilantro, bread crumbs, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to avoid overmixing, which keeps meatballs tender.

2-Form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs using a tablespoon or cookie scoop and place them on a plate.

3-Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

4-Heat olive oil in a large 10-inch iron skillet or ovenproof pan over medium heat.

5-Cook meatballs for about 2 minutes on each side (total 10-12 minutes) until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

6-Pour the red enchilada sauce evenly over the meatballs.

7-Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.

8-Bake in the oven for 15 minutes to finish cooking and melt the cheese.

9-Serve warm with optional toppings as desired.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🥩 Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender and juicy
🔥 Searing meatballs before baking improves texture and adds delicious caramelization
🌶️ Adjust spice level by adding cayenne pepper or hot chiles to the meat mixture for extra heat

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Diet: Non-vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 572
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 1870mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 155mg