The best recipe for mini taco bombs, aka a meatball, which are beef meatballs flavored like Mexican style tacos.
Cheeseburger bombs are one of my most popular recipes, and one of my favorites. I decided to reinvent the dish and combine it with one of my favorite - TACOS. Introducing taco bombs! These are ground beef (or sub chicken) meatballs, deliciously seasoned with my homemade taco seasonings blend. Then, they are perfectly cooked in the oven and smothered with cheese and taco sauce. Honestly, what could be better.
Taco bombs are basically just meatballs. However, these have the most delicious taco flavor to them.
Quick Tips from Allie Carte
- Substitute ground chicken breast for a lighter dish (and more WW - weight watcher's friendly)
- If you do not like things spicy, remove the minced/diced up jalapeños from the mixture
- I use an egg to make the meat more moist; however, if you do not have it or do not want to use an egg, you can skip that
What You Need For Taco Bombs
I use a big bowl to mix everything together. Then, I place the taco bombs aka meatballs on a baking tray and cook them in the oven.
Here is the list of ingredients that you will need to make these mini beef meatballs.
- Ground beef
- Egg
- Breadcrumbs
- Taco seasonings
- Onion
- Garlic
- Jalapeños
- Shredded cheese
- Taco sauce
However, we can go over some suggestions and substitutions.
Ground Beef
I do not use ground beef too often; however, there are some recipes that are amazing with ground beef. These taco bombs are one of them. I prefer to use extra lean ground beef, a 96% fat-free beef. However, you can use any fat content that you like. In addition, this recipe is amazing with ground sirloin as well.
In addition, you can substitute the chicken for ground beef in these taco bombs, ground turkey or another type of ground meat.
Egg
As I mentioned, I use an egg to make the meat more moist; however, if you do not have it or do not want to use an egg, you can skip that. You can also substitute an egg white or liquid egg whites if you do not want the yolk portion.
Breadcrumbs
It is preferable to use very finely ground breadcrumbs. I use the Schar breadcrumbs because I love how finely ground they are. In addition, they are gluten free! However, you really can use any type of breadcrumbs that you prefer.
Onion, Garlic, Jalapeños
These Mexican meatballs are very flavorful by adding fresh ingredients such as onion, garlic and jalapeños. I mince up some of those and work it into the meat. However, if you do not like things spicy, remove the minced/diced up jalapeños from the mixture. In addition, if you do not prefer onion or garlic in there, remove that as well. Also, you can add anything else that you would like. If you find anything amazing, let me know in the comments!
Shredded Cheese
My preference is Trader's Lite Mexican Cheese Blend; however, you can substitute for a different cheese. I usually use a fat-free or reduced fat cheese; however, I know that not everyone likes to go that route.
Taco Sauce
Taco bombs need taco sauce. Yes, I love using Taco Bell sauce. Truly it is one of my favorite things ever and I love adding it to tons of meals, especially this recipe for Mexican meatballs.
Taco Seasonings
I always have my homemade taco seasonings on hand, I make them exactly how I like them and I think they are better than anything you can buy. Plus, when you buy a seasonings mix, you never really know what is in it.
This is the taco seasonings recipe that I live and breathe for, hey, I love tacos, and is perfect to season the pork for this recipe. However, you can also buy a packet, just use 2/2.5 tablespoons of it!
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Adjust any of these seasonings to your liking in this recipe for Mexican meatballs. This mix is not spicy; however, you can make it spicier with the addition of ground red pepper. However, if you are watching your salt, you can reduce that as well. But I do not think there is too much salt in this.
How to Make Taco Bombs
Let's make some mini beef meatballs!
Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (if preferred) and grease with cooking spray.
Grab a large bowl and spread the ground beef at the bottom of the bowl. Crack the egg in a separate bowl, in case of shells, then, add that egg to the beef. Mix the egg into the beef; however, do not over mix it.
Spread the beef back out into the bottom of the bowl. Sprinkle the seasonings over all the beef. Mince the garlic, onion and jalapeño, then add that to the beef. Mix all of that into the beef, being sure not to over mix it.
Divide the beef into 16 equal pieces, about ⅛ cup or so each. Roll each piece into a ball and place the taco bombs on the greased baking tray.
Bake for 8 minutes, then, flip the meatballs over. Squeeze them further together; however, not touching each other. Sprinkle evenly with the cheese then place back in the oven until done, about 6-7 minutes.
Once the meatballs are done, top evenly with the Taco Bell sauce and enjoy!
Taco Bombs
The best recipe for mini taco bombs, aka a meatball, which are beef meatballs flavored like Mexican style tacos.
Taco Bombs
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 16 ounces extra lean ground beef 96%
- 1 egg
- ⅛ cup red onion diced/minced
- ⅛ cup jalapeño diced/minced
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ⅓ cup shredded lite Mexican cheese
- 2 tablespoons Taco Bell Sauce
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (if preferred) and grease with cooking spray.
- Grab a large bowl and spread the ground beef at the bottom of the bowl. Crack the egg in a separate bowl, in case of shells, then, add that egg to the beef. Mix the egg into the beef; however, do not over mix it.
- Spread the beef back out into the bottom of the bowl. Sprinkle the seasonings over all the beef. Mince the garlic, onion and jalapeño, then add that to the beef. Mix all of that into the beef, being sure not to over mix it.
- Divide the beef into 16 equal pieces, about ⅛ cup or so each. Roll each piece into a ball and place on the greased baking tray.
- Bake for 8 minutes, then, flip the meatballs over. Squeeze them further together; however, not touching each other. Sprinkle evenly with the cheese then place back in the oven until done, about 6-7 minutes.
- Once the meatballs are done, top evenly with the Taco Bell sauce and enjoy!
Nutrition
WW- If you are on Weight Watchers and looking for a points value for these taco bombs, click on this link and your points will be automatically calculated for you. This recipe makes 4 servings, which is 4 meatballs per serving. They are 1 point each for me; however, may be different for you. In addition, if I substitute chicken, all 4 taco bombs are only 1 point!
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