Meatballs in chipotle sauce

Recipe for Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce

Hello! Let's prepare some delicious meatballs in chipotle sauce, a dish full of smoky flavor and a spicy touch that conquers the whole family. Perfect for cozy dinners or to give a special twist to your daily meals. Plus, this recipe is simple and with accessible ingredients so you feel confident cooking it.

Preparation time

This dish combines speed and flavor so you don't have to wait long to enjoy it.

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 30 minutes
• Total: 45 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the chipotle sauce

• 3 medium Roma tomatoes
• ⅛ small white onion
• ¼ celery stalk
• ¼
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, tapioca, or arrowroot (optional)

For the meatballs

• 450 grams ground beef (80-85% lean)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1-2 medium potatoes, diced into small cubes (~1 cm)

If you can't find chipotle peppers in adobo, you can use dried chipotle peppers: boil them until soft and process them. To thicken the sauce, if you don't have cornstarch, tapioca or arrowroot are good substitutes.

Utensils we will use

• Small pot for boiling
• Food processor or blender
• Deep skillet or casserole dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Spoon or spatula for stirring

Preparation

1. Prepare the chipotle sauce

1. Boil tomatoes and onion: Place the tomatoes and onion in a pot with boiling water, cook until softened and easily pierced.
2. Blend the ingredients: Put the tomatoes, onion, celery, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, tomato sauce, water, chicken broth, chipotle peppers in adobo, salt, and pepper in the blender. Blend until smooth and homogeneous.
3. Cook the sauce: Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in the skillet and pour in the blended sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

2. Prepare the meatballs

1. Mix meat and seasonings: In a bowl, place the ground meat, add garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently just until combined to prevent them from becoming tough.
2. Form the meatballs: Make balls approximately 2.5 cm in diameter with clean hands.
3. Incorporate into the sauce: With the sauce already boiling, reduce to low heat and carefully place the meatballs to prevent them from breaking. Cook for 8 minutes.
4. Add the potatoes: Add the chopped potatoes, cover the pot and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meatballs are well cooked and the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork.
5. Thicken the sauce (optional): If you want a creamier sauce, mix the starch with a tablespoon of cold water and add it little by little while stirring the hot sauce until it thickens.

To finish and serve

Adjust seasoning by removing celery leaves if they remained integrated, adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot accompanied with red rice or refried beans and soft corn tortillas to enjoy the sauce. For a lighter version, accompany with zucchini or spaghetti squash.

I want to share these tips with you

• Do not overmix the meat: This prevents the meatballs from becoming tough.
• Use firm potatoes: Russet or Yukon gold potatoes maintain their texture better during cooking.
• Adjust the amount of chipotle: Taste the sauce before adding to taste to control the spiciness.
• Lightly brown the meatballs: If you want a firmer exterior texture, brown the meatballs before adding them to the sauce.
• Serve with mild creams: A little sour cream or plain yogurt helps balance the spiciness.

Nutritional Information per serving

• Calories: 175 kcal
• Protein: 14 g
• Fats: 3 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 6.5 g

Values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredients and preparation.

5 keys to make it perfect

• Meat quality: Choose fresh meat and mix with pork for extra juiciness and flavor.
• Uniform size: Make meatballs of the same size so they cook evenly.
• Good chipotle sauce: Use reliable brands like La Costeña o La Morena for an authentic and balanced flavor.
• Slow cooking: Cook over low heat so the meatballs absorb the sauce and become tender.
• Taste and adjust: Always taste the sauce before finishing to adjust spiciness and salt.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

Chipotle meatball stew is ideal for sharing at family gatherings or informal dinners where you want a comforting and flavorful dish. They are also perfect for cold days due to the warm sensation that chipotle provides. For quick weekday meals, this recipe offers a perfect balance between speed and seasoning, ensuring you have energy and satisfaction. Furthermore, at celebrations like Mother's Day or Mexican parties, their traditional and unique flavor makes them great protagonists.

Comparative table of Meatballs in chipotle sauce with similar recipes

Why choose meatballs in chipotle sauce for your kitchen?

In addition to being a typical dish full of Mexican tradition, meatballs in chipotle sauce offer impressive versatility to adapt to tastes and occasions. You can prepare non-spicy versions for children or use chicken or turkey meat for a lighter option, allowing it to be adjusted to different diets. Its preparation process is simple, with clear and accessible steps that any home cook, even beginners, can follow. It should not be forgotten that accompanying this dish with corn tortillas or Valle Verde red rice and some refried beans makes all the difference to enjoy it to the fullest.

Popular variations and their featured ingredients

• Version with meat mixture: Add pork for more juiciness.
• More or less spicy sauce: Adjust the amount of chipotle or combine with sauce from Doña María for a different touch.
• Vegetarian meatballs: Alternate with potato or vegetable meatballs, like those you can find in spinach and carrot fritters.

These options expand your culinary repertoire without sacrificing the authentic character and homemade touch that is so popular in Mexican cuisine.

Key tips for controlling the spice

• For a milder sauce, use only a small piece of chipotle chili and more tomato sauce or adobo.
• Separate a portion of sauce before adding chipotle for children.
• Combine with sour cream or yogurt to soften the spice when serving.

Want to try more recipes with a similar style?

• Classic meatloaf
• Spinach and carrot fritters
• Shrimp Fajitas
• Salmon meatballs
• Potato Omelet with Shrimp