Description
Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are flavorful, bite-sized meatballs made with ground beef, vibrant spices, fresh herbs, and cheesy tortilla chip crunch. Searing them to a golden brown and baking in a zesty tomato and green chili sauce creates a deliciously spicy and comforting dish perfect for a Mexican-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 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
For Cooking and Serving
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can (15 oz) Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies
- Fresh lime wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs after searing.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
- Add cheese and chips: Incorporate shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips into the meat mixture for added texture and flavor.
- Mix egg: Add the beaten egg to the mixture and thoroughly combine to bind all ingredients together.
- Shape meatballs: Form the meat mixture into golf ball-sized spheres, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Sear meatballs: Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat and sear the meatballs for about 5 minutes until they develop a golden brown crust on all sides.
- Add tomatoes: Pour the can of Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over the seared meatballs in the skillet, distributing the sauce evenly.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and heated thoroughly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the meatballs hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges for a burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- Removing seeds from the jalapeño reduces the heat while keeping the flavor.
- Use ovenproof skillet to avoid transferring meatballs and sauce to another baking dish.
- Ensure meatballs are uniform size to cook evenly.
- Fresh lime wedges add a nice acidic contrast that complements the spices beautifully.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
