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Tex-Mex Meatballs in Spicy Cheese Sauce

tex-mex meatballs

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These easy Tex-Mex-seasoned meatballs are served as an appetizer from the slow cooker. The cheese sauce is spicy and delicious with tortilla chips.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs, garlic flavored or plain
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup finely minced onion
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro or parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 pound Velveeta, cubed
  • 4 ounces chopped mild green chile peppers
  • 1 1-ounce envelope taco seasoning mix
  • 1/3 to 2/3 cup water
  • tortilla chips for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350 F.
  2. Line a large roasting pan or sheet pan (rimmed) with foil. Place a large cooling rack in the pan.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with the bread crumbs, cumin, onion, milk, parsley, pepper, and egg. Shape into 3/4-inch meatballs using hands or a cookie scoop. Place them on the rack in the prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and thoroughly cooked. The minimum safe temperature for ground beef is 160 F. (Ground poultry should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 165 F.)
  5. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan or saute pan over low heat, combine cheese, chopped green chile peppers with their liquid, taco seasoning mix and 1/2 cup water; stir over low heat until cheese melts, adding a little more water if too thick.
  6. Add the meatballs to the cheese sauce and simmer until meatballs are hot.
  7. Transfer to the slow cooker or chafing dish for serving.
  8. Makes about 48 to 54 meatballs.