Ready for an awesome kid-friendly recipe? If you're tired of listening to your kids complain about dinner, you'll want to give Chili Meatball Supper a try.
Today I am sharing a favorite recipe from my childhood. I stopped making it when we went gluten free, but with one easy change, we can enjoy it again. (Yea! My kids gave it two thumbs up.)
There are two parts to this recipe. First, you make the meatballs, then you make the soup. (I've been known to make a huge batch of meatballs and freeze the extra to make more soup later.)
Basic Meatballs:
- 1 egg
- 2 T milk
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ c chopped onion
- 1 lb hamburger
- 1 c soft breadcrumbs (Gluten-Free Option--substitute gluten-free oats (whole or pulsed in a blender) and/or gluten-free breadcrumbs -- I mixed both)
Shape into small meatballs (about the size of a whole walnut), place on a non-greased cookie sheet, and bake at 375° for 20-30 minutes. (You can put them very close together because they will shrink slightly in size as they bake.)
Half of this recipe is plenty of meatballs for the chili. Put the rest in the freezer for another meal, or just leave the bowl on the counter before dinner, and you'll find that half are gone before it's time to finish the recipe! I had no leftovers this time. They disappeared as family members strolled through the kitchen! (I'll have to hide them next time--mostly from myself.)
Chili Dinner:
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 c chopped onion
- 1 tsp salt
- 1-2 tsp chili powder (I use 1 tsp)
- 1 can corn (drained)
- ¾ c chopped green pepper
- 1 16-oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 16-oz can red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
- 1-2 cups of water as desired if your chili seems too thick. (I add about 1 ½ cups)
Toppings: Crushed Fritos (or any other brand of corn tortilla chips), shredded cheese, and sour cream
Combine dinner ingredients and simmer on low for about an hour. Don't let the juice simmer away! Add meatballs for the last 10 minutes or so -- long enough to heat through. Serve with toppings. (The toppings really make this dish, so unless you are really trying to cut calories, don't skip them!)
*Want to make this recipe in a rush? Skip the meatballs and just add cooked ground beef. Not as tasty, but still yummy.
Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by today! While you're here, I hope you'll check out some of my other gluten free recipes! Images below are linked:
Julie Moore
I totally understand and admire you for recognizing your limits and your family's needs. Horray for you, Heidi! :)
I look forward to reading your posts and contributing as I can via GFM when it is a link-up. :)
Take care, girl!
The Busy Bee's
Hi Heidi,
This looks delish. Great step by step instructions too. Perfect for this bitter cold weather!
Myrna and Joye.
Devin @ Nom Yum & Free
I totally respect and understand your decision to scale back. I made a similar announcement last Monday on my site too. looks like 2013 is about reprioritizing. Although I will miss Gluten Free Mondays, I know your family will appreciate and benefit from your decision. Have fun with extra family time!! :)
Jane
Yum! This looks so good and my husband would love it!
Mums make lists (@mumsmakelists)
Looks fab - will have to try it for my daughter
Dana
Oh Heidi, I totally get it. Balance is hard, and especially so with the internet I think. I'd love an invite to the Pin board. I have pretty little experience with Pinterest, but your board sounds like a great idea.
-Dana
[email protected]
Heidi, this sounds wonderful, I love that I'll have leftover meatballs for a second meal. Can't wait to try it, my family will eat anything with fritos on top!
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Thank you so much for link this to my party. It truly looks delicious.
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Danielle @ Poor and Gluten Free
Meatball chili! Amazing! My husband would love this, it involves several of his favorite dishes ;p
I get what you mean about the link party, mine is still small and it takes up valuable time! I would love an invite to your Pinterest board, though - I'm Poor and Gluten Free on pinterest.
Thanks for sharing this on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and I hope you'll still have time to link up in the future :)
Crystal
Looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!!
Cristina
Mmmm gluten-free chili! I am always looking for a good gluten-free recipe, and I can always count on you for something yummy =) Thanks so much for sharing!
Tumbleweed Contessa
Oh yum! I must have missed this earlier. Glad that you shared it on Freedom Fridays! I am going to pin it to my soup board.
Kelly - Two Kids Cooking and More
This recipe is very intriguing for me...we are not a gluten free household...but I'm always looking to try new recipes. Plus, with my diet I try too much bread, starch and sugar, so gluten free recipes are always great.
Thanks for sharing this one at our Sunday Show and Tell!
Christine
Oh my goodness.. does that ever look DELICIOUS!!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality! I'm looking forward to seeing what you link up this evening! :)
Rose :: Fine Craft
I know. Gluten free cooking must be a challenge. You are doing a great job at inspiring us all ! Thank you for sharing it in the linky party, and cooking up a storm each week! We appreciate your cooking enthusiasm and contribution!
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)
Let me say that I understand where you are coming from, especially running a link up of my own. We all have so much going on in our lives, I am proud of you for recognizing the need to refocus. As a mommy, we should all take the time to evaluate our busy lives and refocus! :) With that said your recipe looks great! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! :)
Thanks for linking back to the Gluten Free Fridays post!
See you at the link up this week!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Mary Jane Fast
Add me to the Gluten Free shared board. I'm new to Pintrest & love the idea. Thanks so much!
Jennifer
This looks yummy! Please share this in a new Linky Party --Weekend Kitchen Creations at http://www.weekendkitchencreations.blogspot.com. Please join us, share your delicious creation, build more traffic for your blog and get other scrumptious ideas.