One-pan Mexican meatballs

One-pan Mexican meatballs

Beefy meatballs infused with Mexican spices, sizzled with peppers and onions and simmered in a smoky tomato sauce with black beans. Scatter on some zesty salsa and it’s a fiesta in a frying pan. Go on, pop it in the box – your taste buds will have a ball!

SWK: High protein Plants 6 SWK: High fibre one pot

Serving size

Cook time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Food group: Beef

Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Before you start

  • 1x ovenproof frying pan
  • 2x mixing bowls

Slice, spice & shape

  • Heat your oven to 230ºC/fan 210ºC/gas 8.
  • Peel and thinly slice the onions, and deseed and thinly slice the peppers.
  • In a bowl, combine half the spice mix with the mince. Lightly season and, using your hands, shape into 10 even-sized balls (20 for 4 portions).

Sizzle your meatballs

  • Spritz a large ovenproof non-stick frying pan with cooking spray and put it over a medium heat. Fry three-quarters of the onions, all the peppers and the meatballs for 5-7 mins.

Bake the beans

  • Scatter the remaining spice mix into the pan and crumble in the stock. Pour in the black beans and their water along with the passata, then add 100ml water (150ml for 4 portions).
  • Stir well and bring to a simmer, then transfer to the oven and bake for 10-12 mins (12-14 mins for 4 portions).

Itʼs salsa time!

  • Meanwhile, halve the tomatoes, finely chop the coriander, and zest the lime.
  • In a bowl, combine the remaining onions with the tomatoes, coriander and zest. Squeeze in the lime juice (to taste), mix well and lightly season to taste with salt.

Finish & serve

  • Top the meatballs and beans with the salsa to serve.

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