Chilli con carne meatballs Recipe

This Chilli con carne meatballs recipe is a spicy and easy dish, which is made with beef mince and black beans. It’s the perfect 30-minute meal, cooked in an air-fryer for a quick and healthy dinner.

Chilli con carne meatballs Ingredients

A vibrant, healthy mix for a delicious and easy meal.

• 1 sweet potato (250g)
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• Olive oil
• 1 x 400g tin of black beans
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 fresh red chilli
• ½ a bunch of coriander (15g)
• 250g higher-welfare beef mince
• 1 lime
• 200g ripe cherry tomatoes
• Chipotle chilli sauce, to serve

How To Make Chilli con carne meatballs

A step-by-step guide to this quick, easy, and satisfying meal.

1. Prep and Air-Fry the Sweet Potatoes & Beans: Wash the sweet potato, chop it into 2cm chunks, and toss in a bowl with the paprika, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove the shelf from your air-fryer drawer. Tip the entire tin of black beans (juice and all) into the bottom of the drawer, add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, and season. Replace the shelf, add the sweet potato chunks, and cook for 15 minutes at 180ºC.
2. Make the Meatball Mixture: While the vegetables cook, finely chop the red chilli (deseed it if you prefer less heat) and most of the coriander (stalks and all), reserving a few leaves for garnish. In a bowl, combine the chilli, coriander, the remaining cumin seeds, and the beef mince. Finely grate in the lime zest, season with salt and pepper, then scrunch everything together with your hands.
3. Cook the Meatballs: Divide the meat mixture into 10 equal-sized balls. Add the meatballs and the cherry tomatoes to the air-fryer drawer with the sweet potatoes. Shake to create an even layer and cook for another 10 minutes at 180ºC, or until the meatballs are golden and cooked through, shaking the drawer halfway.
4. Finish the Beans and Serve: Remove the meatballs, sweet potato, and tomatoes to a plate. Carefully remove the hot shelf from the air-fryer drawer. Squeeze the juice of half the lime into the hot black beans, add a few shakes of chilli sauce, and then use a masher to mash about half of the beans, creating a creamy texture. Divide the mashed beans between your plates, pile the meatballs, sweet potato, and tomatoes on top, and sprinkle with the reserved coriander leaves. Serve with extra lime wedges for squeezing.

Recipe Tips

For the most flavorful and perfectly textured meatballs.

• How to keep the meatballs moist? The key is not to overwork the mince when you are mixing and scrunching it with the seasonings. Mix just until everything is combined. The fat from the beef will keep them juicy as they cook quickly in the air-fryer.
• Can I make this without an air-fryer? Yes, absolutely. You can roast everything on a baking sheet in the oven. Toss the sweet potatoes as directed and roast at 200°C/400°F for 15 minutes. Then, add the meatballs and tomatoes to the tray and roast for another 15-20 minutes, until everything is cooked through. The beans can be warmed and mashed in a pan on the stovetop.
• How do I adjust the spice level? The heat in this dish comes from the fresh red chilli. To make it milder, make sure to remove all the white seeds and membranes from inside the chilli before you chop it. For more heat, leave some or all of them in.
• Can I make this ahead of time? This is a great meal for prepping in advance. You can make the meatball mixture and roll the balls, keeping them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also chop the sweet potato and keep it in a bowl of cold water in the fridge. This makes the final cook very quick.

What To Serve With Chilli con carne meatballs

Simple additions to round out your meal.

These wraps are a complete and satisfying meal on their own, but they also pair well with:

• A dollop of cool sour cream or natural yoghurt
• A sprinkle of grated Cheddar or crumbled feta cheese
• Warm tortillas or corn chips for scooping up the beans

How To Store Chilli con carne meatballs

Keeping your leftovers delicious.

• Refrigerate: Store any leftover meatballs, sweet potatoes, and mashed beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Gently reheat the meatballs and sweet potatoes in the microwave or for a few minutes in a hot pan or air-fryer. The beans can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Chilli con carne meatballs Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per serving.

• Calories: 620 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Fat: 28 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Yiayia Poly’s Giouvarlakia (Meatballs in Tomato Sauce) Recipe
• Chilli Con Carne Meatballs Recipe
• Giant Meatballs Recipe