Southwest Meatballs

Infused with smoky, zesty Southwestern flavors, these Southwest Meatballs are a bold and satisfying twist on a classic favorite. Made with a savory blend of ground beef and pork, these tender meatballs are elevated with the heat of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, the brightness of lime zest, and the earthy warmth of cumin and chili powder. A quick sear in a hot skillet creates a golden exterior, while baking ensures they’re perfectly juicy and cooked through. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile recipe works wonderfully as an appetizer, a standout taco filling, or even a fun topping for a Southwestern-inspired spaghetti. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a hint of lime juice for a finishing touch that will tantalize your taste buds! Perfect for those searching for easy Southwest recipe ideas or spicy meatball dishes to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.75 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 large Egg
• 2 pepper (chopped) Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon Adobo sauce
• 3 cloves (minced) Garlic
• 0.25 cup (finely chopped) Cilantro
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Lime zest
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and lime zest.

Step 3

Mix everything gently but thoroughly using your hands or a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together evenly. Be careful not to overmix as it can make the meatballs dense.

Step 4

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture to form approximately 20 meatballs.

Step 5

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the meatballs for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until browned. Transfer the browned meatballs to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Transfer the baking sheet with the meatballs to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and their internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 7

Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for a couple of minutes. Serve warm topped with additional chopped cilantro or a squeeze of fresh lime juice, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(916.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2387.4

Total Fat 167.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 56.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18.8g
Cholesterol 744.8mg	0%
Sodium 4763.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 75.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.4g	0%
Total Sugars 8.0g
Protein 155.0g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 235.1mg	0%
Iron 16.6mg	0%
Potassium 1393.1mg	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: 62.0%

Protein: 25.5%

Carbs: 12.4%