If you're looking for a cozy dinner that's a little different from traditional chili, you have to try this meatball chili. It's filled with homemade meatballs, kidney beans, corn, green peppers, tomatoes, and plenty of flavor, then topped with crunchy Fritos, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
We've always called it Chili Meatball Supper, and it's a recipe I grew up eating. I started making it for my own family years ago, and it quickly became a favorite with my kids, too.
Why You'll Love This Meatball Chili
What makes this recipe different from an ordinary pot of chili is the meatballs. Instead of browning ground beef and stirring it into the pot, you make small homemade meatballs, bake them, and add them to the chili near the end.
The combination of the hearty chili, tender meatballs, and crunchy toppings makes this such a fun comfort-food dinner for fall and winter.
How to Make Meatball Chili
Make the Meatballs
Start by mixing the meatball ingredients and forming the mixture into small meatballs. I like them fairly small, about the size of a walnut. A melon baller makes it easy to portion them quickly.
Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F until cooked through and nicely browned.
Make the Chili
While the meatballs are baking, combine the onion, green pepper, tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, corn, chili powder, salt, bay leaf, and water in a large pot.
Bring everything to a simmer and let the flavors come together while the meatballs finish baking.
Once the meatballs are done, add them to the chili and continue cooking until everything is hot and flavorful. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Don't Forget the Toppings
This is one of those recipes where the toppings really make it. We like to serve our meatball chili with:
- Fritos or other corn chips
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
The crunchy Fritos are especially good with the soft meatballs and hearty chili.
Can I Make This Meatball Chili Gluten Free?
Yes. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or oats in the meatballs and make sure the corn chips and other packaged ingredients you use are labeled gluten free.
Can I Make the Meatballs Ahead of Time?
Absolutely. You can bake the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate them until you're ready to make the chili. You could also freeze the cooked meatballs and pull them out when you need an easy dinner.
That makes this recipe especially handy for busy fall and winter nights.
Ready for Dinner?
Serve the chili hot with plenty of Fritos, cheese, and sour cream, and let everyone add their own toppings.
This Chili Meatball Supper has been around in my family for years, and I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does.
Chili Meatball Supper (Easy Meatball Chili)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine the egg, milk, salt, chopped onion, ground beef, and breadcrumbs.
- Shape into small meatballs, about the size of a whole walnut.
- Place the meatballs on an ungreased cookie sheet. They can be placed fairly close together because they will shrink slightly as they bake.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-30 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Combine the bay leaf, onion, salt, chili powder, corn, green pepper, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and water in a large pot.
- Simmer over low heat for about 1 hour. Keep an eye on the liquid so it doesn't simmer away. Add additional water if the chili becomes too thick.
- Add the cooked meatballs during the last 10 minutes, just long enough for them to heat through.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve topped with crushed Fritos, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
Notes
Thanks for stopping by today! While you're here, I hope you'll check out some of my other recipes! The images below are linked to recipes:
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
Joan@Chocolateandmore
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.