Description
Two crowd favorites—meatballs and jalapeño poppers—join forces in this bold, cheesy, spicy creation. These meatballs are juicy on the outside with a creamy, melty surprise inside. Whether it’s game day or dinner time, they’ll disappear fast.
Ingredients
1½ lbs ground beef or pork (or a mix)
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Filling:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 fresh jalapeño, sliced and seeds removed (for less heat)
¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional for extra depth)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease a muffin tin.
In a bowl, combine ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork.
In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar, and paprika (if using).
Take a heaping tablespoon of meat mixture, flatten it in your palm, and place a bit of cream cheese filling and a jalapeño slice in the center. Wrap meat around filling and roll into a ball.
Repeat with remaining ingredients and place on the baking sheet or muffin tin.
Bake for 18–20 minutes, until meatballs are browned and cooked through.
Cool slightly before serving so the cheese doesn’t burn your mouth (worth the wait!).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 120 / Meatball
- Fat: 8g / Meatball
- Carbohydrates: 1g / Meatball
- Protein: 9g / Meatball