Bacon Jalapeño Meatballs

Spicy, yet moist meatballs packed with flavor.  You can make these ahead of time and place in the freezer. So when time is limited, all you need to do is remove them from the freezer, defrost and reheat them.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef or chicken or turkey
4 slices bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces
3 jalapeños, finely chipped
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 coves garlic, minced
1 egg
1/2 c. bread crumbs
2 oz. cream cheese, softened **
2  Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs. oregano
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend (or your favorite cheese.)

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking oil. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine ground meat, bacon, jalapeños, onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, chili powder, salt, pepper and shredded Mexican cheese blend.   Mix ingredients lightly with your hands or a wooden spoon. Do not over mix or the meatballs will be tough.  

Use a large cookie scoop to make about 12 large meatballs, or a medium cookie scoop to make about 20 meatballs. Lightly roll the ground beef into balls between your palms if you want them to be round. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.

** Microwave the cream cheese to make it very soft if possible.  It needs to be soft, so you can mix it in to the meat mixture easily.