Description
Jalapeño cream cheese meatballs bring spicy comfort to classic comfort fare. Creamy ranch dipping sauce complements zesty meat bites, creating an irresistible appetizer that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (80 – 85% lean)
- 4 slices cooked crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1 beaten egg
Cheese and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Philadelphia Jalapeño Cream Cheese Spread (at room temperature)
- 1 cup (113 grams) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) buttermilk (plus more if needed)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (30 grams) seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) finely diced onion
- 3 minced cloves garlic
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon ground chile powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- Coarse salt and fresh black pepper
Instructions
- Combine ground meat, jalapenos, cream cheese, breadcrumbs, eggs, minced onions, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel. Gently fold ingredients using a fork until uniformly integrated. Refrigerate mixture for 20 minutes to enhance flavor cohesion and improve meatball structure.
- Craft ranch dipping sauce by whisking mayonnaise (), sour cream (), and buttermilk () in a medium bowl until silky smooth. Incorporate minced garlic, white vinegar, chopped fresh parsley, chives, dried dill, kosher salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Chill sauce to allow flavor profiles to harmonize.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to facilitate effortless cleanup and prevent meatball adhesion.
- Extract chilled meat mixture and form compact spheres approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. Ensure consistent sizing for uniform cooking. Position meatballs evenly across prepared baking sheet, leaving slight gaps between each morsel.
- Transfer meatballs to preheated oven and roast for 14-15 minutes. Verify internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) and exterior appears golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Transfer meatballs to serving platter. Accompany with chilled ranch dipping sauce. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and textural integrity.
Notes
- Chilling the meat mixture helps bind ingredients and enhances flavor development during cooking.
- Ranch sauce preparation allows herbs and spices to blend together seamlessly, creating a harmonious taste profile.
- Rolling meatballs evenly ensures consistent cooking and attractive presentation on the serving plate.
- Parchment paper prevents sticking and simplifies cleanup after baking delicious appetizers.
- Cooking at high temperature creates beautiful golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy interior of meatballs.
- Serving immediately maximizes taste and texture, offering guests a delightful culinary experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg