Jalapeño Popper Meatballs
Spicy, creamy, and utterly satisfying, these Jalapeño Popper Meatballs blend ground beef, shredded cheese, and cream cheese into a party-ready appetizer or bold main dish.
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ white onion minced
- 1 to 2 jalapeños minced (adjust based on your heat preference)
- ¾ cup plain bread crumbs
- ½ cup finely shredded cheese cheddar or pepper jack work great
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 4 ounces cream cheese
Set your oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced onion, diced jalapeños, bread crumbs, shredded cheese, milk, Worcestershire sauce, dried basil, and salt. Mix well with your hands or a spoon until evenly blended.
Form 20 equal-sized meatballs. Flatten each one in your hand, place about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese in the center, then wrap the meat around it to seal.
Place the meatballs in the prepared dish, spaced slightly apart. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Enjoy while hot for the best flavor and texture. The centers should be creamy and the outside lightly crisp.