Description
Savory cheddar meatballs deliver a mouthwatering twist on classic comfort food. Rich cheese-infused beef creates a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners that you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) ground beef
Cheese and Spicy Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) block of cheddar cheese, finely diced
- 3 fresh jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup tortilla chips, crushed
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) milk
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing vessel, immerse crushed tortilla chips with milk, allowing them to hydrate and soften for approximately 10 minutes until liquid is completely absorbed.
- Incorporate ground beef, finely chopped jalapenos, diced cheddar cheese, paprika, garlic powder, and kosher salt into the softened chip mixture, thoroughly blending all components.
- Using hands or a scoop, craft uniform meatballs roughly the size of a golf ball, ensuring consistent shape and size throughout the batch.
- Transfer shaped meatballs onto a clean tray, then refrigerate for half an hour to enhance structural integrity and promote even cooking.
- Prepare grill for two-zone cooking method: for charcoal grills, concentrate heat on one side; for propane, activate end burner while leaving others inactive. Target medium heat range between 350-375°F.
- Strategically position meatballs on the cooler grill section, cover with lid, and maintain steady cooking for 25-35 minutes until internal temperature precisely reaches 165°F.
- Once fully cooked, remove meatballs from grill, allowing brief resting period before serving to preserve juiciness and distribute internal heat evenly.
Notes
- Use stale tortilla chips for better milk absorption, ensuring a moist and tender meatball texture.
- Dice jalapenos and cheddar cheese into small, uniform pieces to distribute flavor and prevent large chunks.
- Chilling meatballs before grilling helps them maintain shape and prevents falling apart during cooking.
- For spice lovers, keep seeds in jalapenos; for milder taste, remove seeds and membranes before dicing.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 394
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 622 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 88 mg