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    Home » Appetizers & Snacks

    Mexican Meatballs

    Published: Dec 5, 2022 · Modified: Jan 31, 2023 by Jere Cassidy · This post may contain affiliate links. · 16 Comments

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    Pinterest pin for meatballs with text overlay.
    Pinterest pin for stuffed meatballs with a text overlay.

    These homemade Tex-Mex Mexican meatballs are deliciously flavored and perfect for a main dish or a tasty appetizer. The best part about these meatballs is they are stuffed with cheddar cheese for a melty filling.

    Cheese stuffed meatballs on a white platter.
    Cheese stuffed meatballs

    This page may contain affiliate links, please see my disclosure for policy details.  I earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page.

    Change up Taco Tuesday with taco meatballs, they won't disappoint because honestly anything stuffed with cheese is a winner.

    Jump to:
    • These cheesy meatballs are...
    • Ingredients
    • Hey, let's change things up
    • How to serve these stuffed meatballs
    • How to Make
    • Storing
    • Meatball FAQ's
    • Hungry for more recipes, try these
    • Recipe

    These cheesy meatballs are...

    • Super quick to make, just mix in one bowl
    • A go-to favorite when life gets busy and the family wants something yummy
    • Stuffed with cheese because cheese makes everything better
    • Oven baked
    • Freezer friendly
    • Serve as a Main Dish or Appetizer
    • A favorite recipe for game day, I usually triple the recipe

    Ingredients

    • Ground beef - An 80/20 or 90/10 works great as the fat helps to create juicy meatballs.
    • Egg - the egg will bind all the ingredients together.
    • Breadcrumbs - I used plain breadcrumbs or panko works too.
    • Taco Seasoning - You can use homemade taco seasoning, or use a packet of taco seasoning.
    • Milk
    • Cheese - You can use any type of cheese, we used Colby jack cheese.
    • Cilantro - An optional garnish.

    Hey, let's change things up

    • You could use ground turkey if you wanted instead of beef. Or do half ground pork and half beef for a double meat mixture that will still create a flavorful and juicy meatball.
    • Swap out the bread crumbs with saltine crackers. Just finely crush the crackers and then place them in the meatball mixture.
    • Sprinkle with cotija cheese or another shredded cheese in the last 5 minutes of baking.
    • If you have a lime, cut it open and drizzle the lime juice over the meatballs.

    How to serve these stuffed meatballs

    Serve with salsa for dipping, or top with this deliciously spiced pineapple habanero sauce for a kick of flavor.

    Heat some enchilada sauce and place the cooked meatballs in the sauce

    Serve over a bed of white rice, Mexican rice, or mashed potatoes.

    You can pair these meatballs with this Corn and Bean Soup that has a spicy kick of flavor and a creamy broth. And, bake a pan of our favorite Veggie Cornbread to serve with the meatballs.

    How to Make

    This is a quick walkthrough on how to make this recipe. Full directions on how to make these meatballs are in the printable recipe card.

    Step 1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

    Step 2. Cut the cheese into small cubes.

    Optionally you can use shredded cheese, or use presliced cheese and cut it into small slices.

    Step 3. In a large bowl add all the ingredients and mix well until combined.

    Hamburger, eggs, breadcrumbs and seasoning.
    Add all the ingredients
    A meatball mixture of hamburger.
    Mix to combine

    Meatball tip #1 Don't overmix the meatball mixture or it will make them heavy and dense. Mix lightly and don't press too hard when shaping into balls for moist meatballs.

    Step 3. Use a tablespoon and scoop out two tablespoons and roll the mixture into a ball.

    Meatball tip #2 Another way to form the meatballs is to spread the hamburger mixture out on a piece of wax paper and form it into a square about 8" x 8" then cut it into twelve squares and make balls. I just kind of eyeballed this to make 12 balls of even size. If one is small than the other, just pinch off some hamburger from the larger ball and add the smaller ball to equal them out.

    Making meatballs with a tablespoon.
    Scoop the meatballs
    Meatball mixture cut into 12 squares.
    Cut into 12 squares

    Step 4. Flatten the balls out like a hamburger patty.

    Step 5. Place the cheese cube in the center of the meat, and then create a round ball covering the cheese with meat. Make sure the cheese isn't exposed or it will melt out when baking.

    A raw meatball.
    Start with a meatball
    A piece of cheese on a piece of hamburger.
    Add the cheese cube
    Forming a meatlball.
    Flatten the meatball
    Folding hamburger around a cheese cube.
    Fold the hamburger around the cheese

    Step 6. Place the cheese-stuffed meatballs in the baking pan.

    Uncooked meatballs on baking sheet.
    Meatballs ready for baking

    Step 7. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

    One of my meatballs lost some of the cheese, so make sure to get that cheese stuffed inside.

    Cooked meatballs
    Juicy and cheesy meatballs

    When done top with cilantro and serve.

    Meatballs on top of rice on a white plate.
    Stuffed cheese meatballs

    Storing

    Refrigerate - You can refrigerate the meatballs in an air-tight container for up to three days in the fridge. Then reheat the meatballs in the microwave, in the oven, or even air fryer.

    Freezing Raw Meatballs - You can prep your meatballs and freeze them raw. If you do place them in a freezer-friendly container using wax paper between layers if you stack them. Then place the uncooked meatballs on the prepared baking dish and bake the same way in the oven just add time for the meatballs to cook fully.

    Freeze Cooked Meatballs - Go ahead and freeze any meatballs you don't plan to eat right away. Just place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for 4-6 months. Then you can thaw in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen. This is a great make-ahead meal to reheat and serve for an easy dinner.

    Meatball FAQ's

    Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?

    It's faster and easier to bake meatballs.

    When baking meatballs you don't need to cook them in oil, whereas to fry meatballs you usually need to add oil to the skillet.

    Just in case you are looking for more meatball recipes, you gotta try this 4-Cheese Meatball Casserole. Who said meatballs have to go with spaghetti?

    Hungry for more recipes, try these

    • Banana Roll
    • Earl Grey Scones
    • Red Velvet Stuffed Cookies
    • 14 Favorite Cookies for Valentines Day

    Like what you see? Make sure you are following One Hot Oven for more tasty, sweet, and savory recipes!

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    Recipe

    Mexican meatballs stuffed with cheese on a white plate.

    Mexican Meatballs

    Jere' Cassidy
    Easy and cheesy, make these Mexican Meatballs and serve as an appetizer, or serve them for dinner with your favorite side like rice or even polenta. You can even try stuffing the meatballs with different cheeses.
    5 from 29 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 12
    Calories 100 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Rimmed Baking Sheet
    • 1 Cookie scoops Small, Medium, Large

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 package taco seasoning 1 ounce
    • 4 ounces colby jack cheese or use cheese of your choice
    • cilantro for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oven to 400°F, and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper
    • Cut the cheese into small cubes.
    • In a large bowl mix together ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, and taco seasoning until well combined.
    • Scoop out 2 tablespoons of the meatball mixture. Or, flatten the meatball mixture into a square 8" x 8" on a piece of waxed paper and cut into 12 squares.
    • Flatten the hamburger slightly then place a cheese cube in the middle then bring the sides up around to close, making sure it is completely sealed and you have a round ball.
    • Place the meatballs on the baking sheet and bake for 25 - 30 minutes. When done remove to a platter and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
    • Serve these meatballs as an appetizers with salsa, or serve for dinner over rice.

    Notes

    For the cheese - 
    • Use your favorite cheese
    • You can also use cheese sticks cut into small cubes
    • Presliced cheese that is cut into smaller squares
    • Shredded cheese
    Just make sure whatever type of cheese you use that it is fully enclosed in the meatball. If the cheese is exposed it will melt out out of the meatball during baking.
     
     
    All images and text © Jere' Cassidy / One Hot Oven

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 287mgPotassium: 119mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 302IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog.  Please leave a comment to say Hello or just let me know what you are baking these days, I always love hearing from fellow bakers.  Have any questions or just want to chat about the recipe? Please visit my about page for information, and I’ll be happy to help!

    About Jere'                             

    From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending.  Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mandy Applegate

      December 31, 2022 at 3:02 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow, I’d never tried Mexican meatballs before - they were awesome!

      Reply
    2. MacKenzie

      December 30, 2022 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      These Mexican Meatballs were fantastic. I made them for taco Tuesday and my entire family loved them.

      Reply
    3. Erin

      December 30, 2022 at 10:37 am

      5 stars
      Taco seasoning in meatballs was new for me! Such a fun and tasty idea. I'm excited to make these again soon! They were a hit. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        December 30, 2022 at 4:10 pm

        So glad you liked these meatballs. The taco season is just an unexpected flavor in a meatball, but so good!

        Reply
    4. Gen

      December 30, 2022 at 9:03 am

      5 stars
      Stuffing these with cheese was amazing! I’ve never done it before and will definitely be bookmarking this recipe to make again.

      Reply
    5. Rob

      December 14, 2022 at 8:16 pm

      5 stars
      We made these meatballs as an appetizer for a small gathering, and everyone loved them easy and delicious recipe!

      Reply
    6. Mary

      December 14, 2022 at 2:47 pm

      These were delicious. Hubby is a cumin hater so I found a taco seasoning without it. Love the way you portion the meatballs out. I always end up pinching a little off the others at the end.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        December 15, 2022 at 9:47 am

        Cumin is like cilantro, so many love it, or so many dislike it. Glad you found a solution.

        Reply
    7. Elizabeth

      December 14, 2022 at 10:51 am

      Perfect appetizer for the upcoming holiday. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    8. Dee Broughton

      December 14, 2022 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea using Mexican flavors for these meatballs! I'm going to make these with ground turkey.

      Reply
    9. Michelle

      December 09, 2022 at 11:43 am

      5 stars
      Loved this spin on meatballs with Mexican flavours! My boys demolished their plates. Will make it again soon!

      Reply
    10. Sonia

      December 09, 2022 at 6:22 am

      I made these meatballs the other day, and my family loved them. And this recipe is excellent for make-ahead and/or meal prep.

      Reply
    11. MacKenzie

      December 08, 2022 at 8:28 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great weeknight meal. I served with a side of Spanish rice for a compete and filling dinner

      Reply
    12. Trsci

      December 08, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      Wow these were incredible! We love meatballs in our family—they are so easy to make and reheat for quick meals. These were a fun change up’

      Reply
    13. Marty Sharp

      December 05, 2022 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      Not only did I make these meatballs for dinner, but I made these days later and froze them like you suggest so I can serve them for New Years. Plus, used pepper jack cheese.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        December 15, 2022 at 9:49 am

        Yum, good idea to use pepper jack cheese.

        Reply

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    Jere Cassidy owner of One Hot Oven

    Welcome, I am Jerè. I love sharing recipes both sweet and savory that inspire you to bake at home. Food has a way of bringing us all together, from a simple batch of cookies to a three-tier cake.

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