Turkey Enchilada Slow Cooker Meatballs with Cheese

Perfect for parties or a busy weeknight, these turkey enchilada slow cooker meatballs are easy to make, healthy, and so flavorful!

Disclosure: I’m excited to partner with Old El Paso this year to bring you fresh and flavorful recipes. Thank you for supporting Rachel Cooks by reading about brands we love and use in our own home.

If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve party, these meatballs will be the life of the party. OR if you need a quick, dependable weeknight meal, you can count on these slow cooker meatballs for that too. They have a dual personality: party animal and family man. (Make sure to check out the end of the post for serving notes!)

The ingredients are simple but pack a punch of flavor. In a large bowl, lean ground turkey is combined with Old El Paso Chopped Green Chiles, chili powder, cumin, and flavorful Monterey jack cheese. Panko breadcrumbs keep everything pulled together. Roll them into balls (see my tip in the recipe for this!) and place on a baking sheet.

They’ll go in the oven for a quick broil – this is important to help them keep their shape and to add a great layer of flavor from browning them.

Meal prep tip: You could make them ahead to this point, put them in the fridge or freezer, and heat them in the slow cooker when you need them. 

Then into the slow cooker they go, topped with Old El Paso Mild Enchilada Sauce. They’ll cook in that delicious bath of enchilada sauce for about two hours or until they’re cooked through and full of great enchilada flavor.

Top with a little green stuff (I used green onion but cilantro would be fab too!), and serve hot. If you’re serving them at a party, you could put them on a tray with toothpicks. If they’re family dinner, I’d recommend pairing with some brown rice and grilled (or roasted or sautéed!) vegetables for a complete meal.

Looking for more hearty appetizers? Try:

• Slow Cooker Chicken Cheese Dip (Marsala!)
• Pepperoni Pizza Dip
• Vegetarian Baked Taquitos 
• Stovetop Spinach Dip with Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Herbed Feta Dip
• Broccoli and Bacon Beer Cheese Dip

Turkey Enchilada Slow Cooker Meatballs

Yield: 4 main dish servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 12 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes

Perfect for parties or a busy weeknight, these turkey enchilada slow cooker meatballs are easy to make, healthy, and so flavorful!

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Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 can (4.5 ounces) Old El Paso Chopped Green Chiles, extra juice drained
• 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 can (10 ounces) Old El Paso Mild Enchilada Sauce
• Green onions or cilantro to garnish, optional

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, beat egg lightly. Add turkey, Old El Paso Chopped Green Chiles, breadcrumbs, chili powder, cumin, and cheese. Combine until everything is evenly distributed. Do not over mix (use hands or a wooden spoon).
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Form meatballs into approx. 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
4. Turn broiler to high with rack positioned about 4-5 inches from the broiler. Broil meatballs until browned, turning once, about 10-12 minutes. Meatballs will not be cooked through at this point.
5. Transfer to a slow cooker, pour Old El Paso Mild Enchilada Sauce over meatballs, and cook on low for 2 hours or until done (internal temperature of 165°F).
6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions or cilantro.

Notes

When rolling turkey mixture into meatballs, Wet hands lightly to help prevent the mixture from sticking.

Sprinkle a little extra cheese on top to add even more cheesy deliciousness.

Make ahead tip: After browning the meatballs, cool and refrigerate, or freeze, until ready to cook with sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 of 4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 439 Total Fat: 20g Saturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 11g Cholesterol: 177mg Sodium: 540mg Carbohydrates: 26g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 10g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 39g

RachelCooks.com sometimes provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietician. Please consult a medical professional for any specific nutrition, diet, or allergy advice.

Verdict: I love the convenience of these slow cooker meatballs. I might even trying serving them over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a healthy dinner!
Husband’s take: Ben loves these meatballs too, and I also served them when he had a friend over and they got rave reviews!
Changes I would make: None are necessary!
Difficulty: Easy

Disclosure: I’m excited to partner with Old El Paso this year to bring you fresh and flavorful recipes like these slow cooker meatballs. Thank you for supporting Rachel Cooks by reading about brands we love and use in our own home.