Okay, so let me start out by saying, there are certain days when I wake up and I know I just HAVE to have Mexican food.  Have to.  Not want to.   Have to.  Now, when this happens on a Friday or a Saturday, this is pretty straightforward.   We head out to this place near us called El Bandido and a glass of sangria and a tostada later, life is good.

When this happens on, say, a Tuesday, it’s a little bit more challenging, given the whole work week thing and all.  These are the times when it is good to have a few fast and easy Mexican food recipes in your arsenal, and these days when it is getting a little nippy outside, a soup that includes meatballs, salsa, avocado and tortilla chips?   Yep, that’s got my name on it.  (As much as an Irish girl married to a Southern Cherokee guy could have her name on a Mexican recipe.)

Here’s the drill on this one: you make up some little meatballs that are spiced up with a little Mexican flavor…scallions, tortilla chips, cumin, and cilantro if you are a cilantro person. I am not a cilantro person.  It’s not my fault, it’s been proven that cilantro-disliking is genetic.  But if you love cilantro, you feel free to be you.  Anyway, while the meatballs are cooking, you whirl up some salsa and water in a blender (yes, it is THAT easy), and heat it up.  Drop in your meatballs, heat it all up, and then go to town on the garnish.  Sour cream, avocado, definitely more crushed tortilla chips…etc. Improvise!

Mexican food on a Tuesday!  Life is good.

Mexican Meatball Soup

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• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop and Oven
• Cuisine: Mexican

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Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus sprigs for serving
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 3 cups mild jarred salsa (about 1 1/2 16-ounce jars)
• 1 avocado, cut into pieces

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Instructions

1. Heat broiler. In a bowl, combine the beef, scallions, tortilla chips, chopped cilantro, cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
2. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls (about 24) and place on a broilerproof baking sheet. Broil until beginning to brown, 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a blender, puree the salsa with 1 cup water. Transfer to a large saucepan, add 2 cups water, and bring to a boil.
4. Add the meatballs, reduce heat, and simmer until cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes.
5. Serve the soup with the avocado, cilantro sprigs, and tortilla chips (if desired).

4108.5 g1750.7 mg22.3 g5.9 g0.6 g27.6 g8 g27.7 g73.5 mg

Recipe adapted from Real Simple

Kate Morgan Jackson

Hi there!  I’m Kate, and I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover.  I started Framed Cooks in 2009, and my mission is to create and share family-friendly recipes that make cooking both easy and fun…yes, I said FUN!  My kitchen is my happy place, and I want yours to be that place too.  And if you make this recipe, I would love you to tag @FramedCooks on Instagram so I can see the deliciousness!