January 19, 2014

Mini Taco Meatballs {appetizer}

Name: Mini Taco Meatballs {appetizer}
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 25 mini meatballs 1-inch in diameter
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Yellow Onion (, finely diced); 1/3 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese (, finely grated); 1/2-1 teaspoon Kosher Salt*; 3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning; 1 tablespoon fresh Cilantro (, diced); 1 large Egg (, lightly beaten); 1 pound lean Ground Beef

12K Shares

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

As we near the end of football season the delectable, dip-able dishes are making their appearance on the internet. Spicy, relaxed food prepared in mass quantities to celebrate (or agonize) with friends over the nail biting games to see who will make it into Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014.

Coloradoans will be hosting what is expected to be the largest game ever to be played at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. The weather is expected to hit 60 with sunny skies; not bad for a game played in mid-winter. You can expect to see a lot of orange and blue filling out the sold-out stadium seats, with all appendages crossed for the local Broncos to secure a seat in the Big Game.

Though there is still time for menu planning, I have some dishes to roll out to kick off the preparation. It struck me that it seems a cruel joke that this holy grail of sporting events would strike in the middle of New Year’s resolutions, tempting those opting for healthier eating or some weight loss as their starting commitment to 2014.

The appetizer I have for you today is many things, including kind to one’s health pursuits. Mini Taco Meatballs are just what they sound, bite-size meatballs full of taco flavors and ingredients. They are made with no binding fillers so are pure ground beef as well as are on the table less than 30 minutes after you pull the ingredients out to make them. Not bad, right?

My household taste testers loved them and the frilly toothpicks make them feel like a party. We happened upon a secondary way to eat them out of necessity, which we all fell in love with. The evening I made them I had not thought through dinner. I had the meatballs but felt we needed more. In the scurry of post after-school sports I realized we had some iceberg lettuce (which I rarely buy but thinking ‘tacos’ I had some on hand to potentially incorporate into the meatball serving). A flash on chicken wraps struck me and we popped a few meatballs in a large leaf of lettuce, sprinkled on a bit of finely grated Mexican cheese combination (salsa would also be good), rolled them up and ate them as a bit of a Poor-Man’s-Taco-Meets-Spring-Roll. Everyone loved them for the crunchy texture, flavor combinations and ease of eating. Of course it made for a healthier taco as well!

5 from 1 vote

Mini Taco Meatballs {appetizer}

These quick, easy appetizer-size meatballs are done in less than 30 minutes and are full of taco flavor. Perfect for gatherings or incorporating into other dishes, they have no fillers and are naturally gluten-free.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword appetizer meatballs, mini taco meatballs

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 25 mini meatballs 1-inch in diameter

Calories 35 kcal

Author Toni Dash

Ingredients

1/2 cup Yellow Onion , finely diced
1/3 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese , finely grated
1/2-1 teaspoon Kosher Salt*
3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoon fresh Cilantro , diced
1 large Egg , lightly beaten
1 pound lean Ground Beef

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet (with sides to avoid meatballs escaping) with parchment paper or a silpat. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the onion, cheese, salt, taco seasoning and fresh cilantro. Using a fork, stir mixture together to fully combine.
Add the lightly beaten egg, and again using a fork, stir to combine into the seasoning mixture.
Add the ground beef, and using your hands, mix all the ingredients together fully.
To form meatballs, gather approximately one heaping tablespoon of the meat mixture in your hands. Gently roll the meat into a ball which should be 1 inch across. Place on the prepared baking sheet/pan.
Bake for 20 minutes (or until cooked all the way through). Remove pan from oven, allow to sit for a few minutes before serving. Insert toothpicks or mini forks for ease of eating. Note: there will be some melted cheese around the bottom of the meatballs.

Recipe Notes

*if the Taco Seasoning being used has added salt, I recommend using 1/2 teaspoon of salt only. If using no-salt taco seasoning, 1 teaspoon of salt should be used.

Nutrition Facts

Mini Taco Meatballs {appetizer}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 35 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1g 2%

Saturated Fat 0g 0%

Cholesterol 19mg 6%

Sodium 94mg 4%

Potassium 71mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 0g 0%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars 0g

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 1.1%

Vitamin C 0.5%

Calcium 1.4%

Iron 2.7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

12K Shares

Mini Taco Meatballs {appetizer}