Chili Relleno Meatballs

My husband is not a picky eater. He'll eat just about anything I put in front of him. However, of course, he does have his favorites.  This would be one of them.  Chili Relleno Meatballs.  Doesn't that just sound like something a man love? 

My family has been making these for as long as I can remember, and they are oh-so-good. 

Step by step instructions (recipe at bottom):

So, first off you mix your bread crumbs together with some milk -to let them soften.  It makes for a softer meatball. 

Add to that your hamburger, parsley, salt, pepper, eggs, and chopped green chilis. 

Mix that together really well.  You don't want clumps of bread crumbs so makes sure you have mixed things well.

Then cube your cheese.  Jack cheese is best, unless you like a little spice -then go for pepper jack.  :) 

Take a small portion of the meat mixture and flaten in on the palm of your hand.  Place one cube of cheese in the middle and fold the meat around the cheese -sealing it as you go.  (The cheese will melt as you cook these, so you don't want holes if you can help it.) 

 Line up the meatballs in a baking dishand cook in 450 degree oven for about 15 minutes.  They may not be fully cooked at this point, so resist the temptation to eat one now. 

Cover your meatballs with the sauce and put back in the over, set at 350 degrees, for 20-30 minutes, or until they are done.  The sauce should be bubbly. 

My favorite way to eat these is with this rice pictured here.  (Recipe to come soon!)  I love the sauce with the melted cheese and how it sinks into the rice.  Mmmmm.  Buttered pasta would also be great!

Poor lighting and poor camera make for poor pictures... You'll just have to make them for yourself to see how good they really are!!  ;)

Chili Relleno Meatballs

1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 tsp pepper
3/4 cup milk
3 pounds hamburger
3 Tbs chopped parsley 
2 cans chopped green chilis
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp salt  
Approx. 16 oz of Jack Cheese (or pepper jack)


Mix crumbs and milk -let stand for a few minutes.  (2-3 is good)
Add beef, parsley, eggs, salt, pepper, and 2 cans of chilis. 
Cube cheese into approximately 1/2 inch cubes. 
Flatten a small handful of beef mixture onto your palm and top with one cheese cube.  Wrap beef around cheese.  Place in greased baking dish.  Continue until all the meat is used. 
Bake in 450 degree oven for 15 minutes. 

Sauce:
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic
2 Tbs olive oil
2-3 cans diced tomatoes (15 oz size) Depends on how much sauce you want. 
1 cup broth (anykind) or milk
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1 can green chilis

Saute onion and garlic over medium heat til onions start to soften, about 3 minutes.  Add all remaining ingredients and simmer for 20-30 minutes.  Then pour over meatballs. 
Put baking dish with meatballs and sauce back in oven at 350 degrees for 20- 30 minutes, til sauce is bubbly. 

This makes about 24 meatballs.  This dish freezes VERY well.  Just got upto putting the sauce on the meatballs and then freeze them.  When ready to eat just pop them back in the over until heated all the way through, and sauce is bubbling.  I usually make 1/2 with jack cheese for my kids and 1/2 with pepper jack cheese for us parents. Enjoy!  Let me know how they turn out!