Description
Cowboy Cheesy Green Chile Meatballs with Mushrooms is a bold, comforting skillet dinner packed with flavor and melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup finely chopped scallions
- 1 large egg
- 2½ teaspoons chili powder, divided
- 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin, divided
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can (7 ounces) diced green chiles, including juices
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- In a large bowl, stir together the panko, scallions, egg, 1¼ teaspoons chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Add the ground beef and gently mix just until the ingredients come together. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Roll the mixture into small balls, using about 2 tablespoons per portion. Expect 22–25 meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs
- Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the meatballs in a single layer and brown the bottoms for 1½–2 minutes.
- Turn the meatballs and brown the other side for another 1½–2 minutes.
- Transfer them to a plate. They will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Sauté the Mushrooms
- In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms.
- Cook for 4–5 minutes until they release moisture and begin to brown.
- Leave the mushrooms in the skillet—they’ll become part of the sauce.
- Create the Sauce
- Reduce the heat to medium.
- Pour the marinara sauce into the pan with the mushrooms.
- Stir in the diced green chiles and their juices.
- Season with the remaining 1¼ teaspoons chili powder and ½ teaspoon cumin.
- Bring everything to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer the Meatballs
- Place the browned meatballs back into the sauce, nestling them in between the mushrooms.
- Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- The meatballs are done when they reach 165°F internally.
- Add the Cheese
- Position an oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler and turn the broiler on.
- Sprinkle the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the entire skillet.
- Broil uncovered for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve
- Top with extra fresh scallions and serve hot with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by adding more chili powder if desired.
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
- Feel free to substitute the cheeses with your favorites.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg