Albondigas en Chipotle or Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce, are a favorite comfort food in Mexico. This version is a recipe adapted from a friend in Mexico, who makes them at the request of her family at least once a month.

The recipe combines rice along with equal parts of beef and pork to form the balls. They are then stuffed with cream cheese.

The meatballs are then poached in a simple sauce made from fresh tomatoes and chipotles in adobo sauce.

Chipotles are smoked jalapeños that add both heat and a smoky flavor to the sauce. They are typically served with tortillas and extra chipotles in adobo on the side.

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My favorite part of the recipe is a the hidden surprise of melted cream cheese hiding inside each meatball. As you eat the albondigas, the cheese combines with the tomato sauce and it gets richer and creamier with every bite.

Serve them with fresh tortillas to make mini taco bites and soak up every bit of the sauce. Here are some additional Mexican inspired recipes you might enjoy:

Sopa de Lima Yucateca – Mexican Chicken Lime Soup

Beef, Chorizo and Guacamole Sliders

Ultimate Guacamole Dip

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Aguachile Verde

Pickled Red Onions with Habanero Peppers

Chicken Empanadas

Charred Salsa Verde

For 10 – 12 Albondigas

Yield: 12 Meatballs

Albondigas en Chipotle

Name: Albondigas en Chipotle
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Mexicana
Ingredients: 1/2 lb (.45 kg) Ground Beef; 1/2 lb (.45 kg) Ground Pork; 1 Large White Onion; 2 Cloves Garlic; 6 Ounces (170 g) Cream Cheese; 10 Roma Tomatoes; 1 Teaspoon (2 g) Ground Cumin; 3 Chipotles in Adobo Sauce (plus extra for serving); 2 Tablespoons (28 g) Tomato Paste; 1 Egg; 3/4 Cup (118 g) Long Grain White Rice; 2 Tablespoons (3 g) Fresh Mint, dried if unable to find; 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) Olive Oil; 1 Teaspoon (6 g) Salt; 2 Bay Leaves; 2 Cups (237 g) Chicken or Vegetable Broth, low sodium; 12 6-8 inch (15 - 20 cm) Corn or Flour Tortillas for serving; Salt and Pepper to Taste

Albondigas en Chipotle, or Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce, are a favorite comfort food in Mexico. This version is made with beef, pork and rice and stuffed with cream cheese.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 lb (.45 kg) Ground Beef
1/2 lb (.45 kg) Ground Pork
1 Large White Onion
2 Cloves Garlic
6 Ounces (170 g) Cream Cheese
10 Roma Tomatoes
1 Teaspoon (2 g) Ground Cumin
3 Chipotles in Adobo Sauce (plus extra for serving)
2 Tablespoons (28 g) Tomato Paste
1 Egg
3/4 Cup (118 g) Long Grain White Rice
2 Tablespoons (3 g) Fresh Mint, dried if unable to find
1 Tablespoon (15 ml) Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon (6 g) Salt
2 Bay Leaves
2 Cups (237 g) Chicken or Vegetable Broth, low sodium
12 6-8 inch (15 - 20 cm) Corn or Flour Tortillas for serving
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

Add the rice to 2 cups of salted water in a small sauce pan and bring it to a boil. Cook for about 10 minutes so that the rice is still al dente (about 10 minutes). Drain and put aside.
Add the tomatoes, 1/2 onion, 1 clove garlic and 2 Chipotles in Adobo and the tomato paste to a blender and process until smooth.
Add the mixture to large sauce pot with the olive oil over medium heat. When the sauce reaches a boil reduce the heat to a simmer.
In the mean time add 1/2 of the onion, 1 clove garlic, mint, cumin and the egg to a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.
Combine the onion purée with the ground beef, pork and rice (do not over-mix). Place a small ball of meat into the palm of your hand and form a well.
Add about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese to the center and then add more of the meat mixture to form a 2 1/2 inch ball. Add the ball to the tomato sauce and continue until all of the meat mixture has been used.
Add enough stock to the pot in order to completely cover the meatballs. Bring the mixture to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer.
Add the bay leaves to the pot and allow the meatballs to poach for 30 minutes until they are completely cooked through.
Serve in bowls with extra chipotle salsa and tortillas on the side.

Notes

*You can substitute 1 chipotle in adobo sauce and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste if you aren't able to locate the salsa in the international section of your grocery store.