Fiesta Meat Balls Piquante

These Fiesta Meat Balls Piquante offer a bold twist on classic meatballs by incorporating uncooked rice into the beef mixture, resulting in a tender, satisfying texture that absorbs the flavorful sauce. The blend of lean ground beef, aromatic spices, and fresh cilantro creates a hearty base, while the simmered sauce combines sweet tomato, savory beef broth, and the smoky heat of pickled chipotle peppers. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, offering a robust, protein-packed meal that tastes even better the next day. The balance of spice and savory notes makes it a crowd-pleaser for families and friends alike.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Courses: Main Courses

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 36

Calories: 256.3

Dietary: Gluten-free

Description

These Fiesta Meat Balls Piquante offer a bold twist on classic meatballs by incorporating uncooked rice into the beef mixture, resulting in a tender, satisfying texture that absorbs the flavorful sauce. The blend of lean ground beef, aromatic spices, and fresh cilantro creates a hearty base, while the simmered sauce combines sweet tomato, savory beef broth, and the smoky heat of pickled chipotle peppers. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, offering a robust, protein-packed meal that tastes even better the next day. The balance of spice and savory notes makes it a crowd-pleaser for families and friends alike.

Ingredients

1 pound Lean ground beef
1 md Onion; minced and divided
3 cloves Garlic
2 tablespoons Chopped cilantro; divided
1 tablespoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Ground black pepper
2 large Eggs; slightly beaten
3/4 cup Uncooked rice
30 oz Tomato sauce
1 cup Beef broth
2 peppers Chipotle peppers, pickled
1 tablespoon Chili powder

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, 2 tablespoons of minced onion, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, paprika, salt, pepper, beaten eggs, and uncooked rice.
3
Mix well until just combined, then shape the mixture into 1-1/2-inch meatballs.
4
Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in a large baking dish coated with vegetable cooking spray.
5
In a blender jar, combine the tomato sauce, beef broth, remaining onion, chipotle peppers, chili powder, and remaining garlic.
6
Cover and process until smooth.
7
Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the baking dish.
8
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour, or until the rice inside the meatballs is tender and the internal temperature of the beef reaches 160 degrees F.
9
Remove from oven and sprinkle with the remaining chopped cilantro.
10
Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 36

Amount Per Serving
Calories 256.3kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11.4g18%
Saturated Fat 4.5g23%
Cholesterol 86.3mg29%
Sodium 82.7mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 2.3g1%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugars 1.1g
Protein 32.1g65%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Variations: For a milder version, reduce the number of chipotle peppers or remove the seeds and membranes before blending. You can also substitute the beef with ground turkey or chicken.

Tip: Ensure the baking dish is large enough to hold the meatballs in a single layer for even cooking. If your dish is small, you may need to use two dishes or increase the baking time slightly.

Keywords: fiesta, meatballs, piquante, ground beef, chipotle, tomato sauce, rice, spicy, dinner, american, comfort food, one-pan, baked, family meal, easy, hearty

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/fiesta-meat-balls-piquante/