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This meatball chili takes all the best parts of classic chili and adds a fun, hearty twist with perfectly spiced meatballs. Packed with bold flavors and endless comfort, it’s a recipe you’ll turn to again and again!
Love hearty meatball recipes? Try our Bacon Bourbon Meatballs, Turkey Meatballs with Creamy Gravy, or Easy Homemade Meatballs next!
Meatball Chili: The Bowl of Comfort You Didn’t Know You Needed
There’s something about a bowl of chili that feels like home—warm, hearty, and endlessly satisfying. But this time, we’re taking a little detour with meatball chili.
Think perfectly spiced, tender meatballs swimming in a rich, homemade chili sauce that’s packed with all my favorite flavors. It’s like a classic chili, but with a twist that makes every bite extra special.
This is a fun family friendly dinner that will end up on your regular rotation guaranteed!
Why You Will Love This recipe
- Combines classic chili comfort with a fun meatball twist.
- Bursting with bold, savory, chili-seasoned flavors.
- Perfect for leftovers—tastes even better the next day!
- Customizable with your favorite toppings or sides.
- Hearty, filling, and a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients Needed
- Buttermilk: This is a new favorite way for me to make meatballs since I have a little one who can’t eat eggs currently. You can easily swap the buttermilk for one egg per pound of ground beef you are using to make the meatballs. Or if you want to use buttermilk and don’t have any on hand, measure out the same amount in regular milk, remove a teaspoon and add a teaspoon of vinegar. Let this mixture sit for a minute before adding in.
- Bread Crumbs: Use a gluten free option if needed.
- Green Chiles: These are incredibly mild. If you are concerned about heat level you can omit, or dice up some green bell pepper and sauté it with the onion.
- Chili Powder: I always test my recipes using Gebhardt’s chili powder, which is fairly mild. If concerned about heat level always start with less and add more to taste as needed.
How to Make Meatball Chili Step-By-Step
Find the complete recipe card below with measurements and full instructions.
- In a medium size bowl add the ground beef and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and cumin). Then add the bread crumbs and pour in the buttermilk. Stir this all together until well combined.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or braising pan over medium heat. Form the meatballs by scooping 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and rolling between your hands to form a ball shape.
- Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until seared, turning them gently to sear on all sides. Once seared, remove the meatballs and continue with any additional meatballs that need to be cooked.
- Add the onion and cook over medium heat until softened. Add in the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, and green chiles. Stir this all together. Stir in the spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper.) and then add the light brown sugar.
- Add the meatballs back into the skillet, into the sauce. Cover the pan and cook for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through completely.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to serve this meal is just like I would a chili! I love using corn chips then layering the meatballs, spooning extra sauce over the top. Then add your favorite chili toppings. Some ideas include:
- Sour Cream
- Grated Cheese
- Fresh Cilantro
- Sliced green onion
- Pickled Jalapeños
- Chopped Avocado
More Chili Recipes
- Easy Beef Chili
- Weeknight Chuck Roast Chili
- White Chicken Chili
- Ground Beef Chili no Beans
- Authentic Texas Chili
Meatball Chili
This meatball chili takes all the best parts of classic chili and adds a fun, hearty twist with perfectly spiced meatballs. Packed with bold flavors and endless comfort, it’s a recipe you’ll turn to again and again!
Ingredients
Chili Seasoned Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ cup plain bread crumbs
- ¼ cup buttermilk or 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or other neutral cooking oil
Chili
- ½ small yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 15 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 7 ounce can diced green chiles
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
Serving
- sour cream
- grated cheddar cheese
- green onion
- fresh cilanto
- corn chips
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl add the ground beef and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and cumin). Then add the bread crumbs and pour in the buttermilk. Stir this all together until well combined.1 pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ cup plain bread crumbs, ¼ cup buttermilk
- Heat oil in a large skillet or braising pan over medium heat.1 tablespoon avocado oil
- Form the meatballs by scooping 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and rolling between your hands to form a ball shape.
- Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until seared, turning them gently to sear on all sides.
- Once seared, remove the meatballs and continue with any additional meatballs that need to be cooked.
- Remove all meatballs from the skillet. Add the onion and cook over medium heat until softened.½ small yellow onion
- Add in the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.3 cloves garlic
- Pour in the tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, and green chiles. Stir this all together.1 15 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes, 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce, 1 7 ounce can diced green chiles
- Stir in the spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper.) and then add the light brown sugar.2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- Add the meatballs back into the skillet, into the sauce.
- Cover the pan and cook for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through completely.
- Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese, and green onion or cilantro.
Nutrition
Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 849mg | Potassium: 425mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 483IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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