Mariachi Meatballs

Turn up the flavor with Mariachi Meatballs, a bold and zesty twist on a classic favorite! These tender, oven-baked meatballs combine ground beef and pork with aromatic spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, along with fresh cilantro and garlic for a savory kick. Smothered in a smoky chipotle-tomato sauce enhanced with hints of honey and lime, these meatballs deliver a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Quick to prepare and loaded with vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors, they’re a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. Garnish with toppings like creamy sour cream, crumbly queso fresco, or buttery avocado slices for an unforgettable meal. Perfect for anyone craving a dish packed with spice, comfort, and flair!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 1 large Egg
• 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons Milk
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup Onion, finely diced
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 1.5 cups Tomato sauce
• 2 medium Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 tablespoon Lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 0 Optional toppings: sour cream, queso fresco, diced avocado, or additional fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg, panko breadcrumbs, milk, minced garlic, diced onion, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Using your hands or a spoon, mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs dense.

Step 4

Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

Brush the meatballs lightly with vegetable oil. This will help them brown nicely in the oven.

Step 6

Bake the meatballs for 18–20 minutes, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 7

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the tomato sauce, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, honey, and lime juice.

Step 8

Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Once the meatballs are finished baking, transfer them to the saucepan with the chipotle-tomato sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce.

Step 10

Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 11

Serve the Mariachi Meatballs warm. Optional toppings like sour cream, queso fresco, diced avocado, or additional fresh cilantro can be added for extra flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1426.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2548.2

Total Fat 188.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18.8g
Cholesterol 754.4mg	0%
Sodium 3847.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 56.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.2g	0%
Total Sugars 17.2g
Protein 154.0g	0%

Vitamin D 104.9IU	0%
Calcium 361.1mg	0%
Iron 17.3mg	0%
Potassium 1428.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 66.9%

Protein: 24.3%

Carbs: 8.8%