Introduction

Chipotle meatballs offer a smoky, spicy twist on a classic favorite. Paired with creamy mashed sweet potatoes and tender green beans, this dish makes for a hearty and flavorful meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

The image shows eight clear rectangular glass meal prep containers arranged in two rows on a white marbled surface. The top row contains four containers, each with two brown sausage links at the bottom, a layer of yellow scrambled eggs in the middle, and topped with a layer of lightly browned hashbrowns with a rough, shredded texture. The bottom row has four containers, each divided into three layers: bright orange mashed sweet potatoes covering half of the container, four glazed meatballs with a shiny brown coating placed above the sweet potatoes, and vibrant green beans arranged neatly at the bottom. Below the containers is a neat line of four yellow apples, alternating with four blue RXBAR protein bars. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes
½ tbsp butter or ghee
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup almond milk, more if needed
Salt to taste
1–1.5 lb ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
½–1 tsp chipotle powder (adjust to taste)
½ tsp cumin
Dash of paprika
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp almond flour
1 tbsp coconut aminos (for meatballs)
¼ cup coconut aminos (for sauce)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Dash of chipotle powder (for sauce)
½–1 lb green beans

Instructions

Step 1: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into large chunks, then add them to the boiling water.
Step 2: Boil the sweet potatoes until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes.
Step 3: While the potatoes cook, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, chipotle powder, cumin, paprika, salt, almond flour, and 1 tablespoon coconut aminos in a bowl. Mix well and form into 12 to 16 meatballs.
Step 4: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 3 minutes, then flip and cook another 3 minutes.
Step 5: Flip the meatballs a second time and add ¼ cup coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, and a dash of chipotle powder to the skillet. Stir gently to coat the meatballs, then cook for about 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Step 6: Drain the cooked sweet potatoes in a strainer. Return them to the pot and add butter or ghee, minced garlic, and almond milk. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, then mash until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
Step 7: Cook the green beans by steaming in the microwave, boiling, or sautéing in a skillet until tender. Season with salt to taste.
Step 8: Serve the chipotle meatballs alongside the mashed sweet potatoes and green beans for a complete, satisfying meal.

Tips & Variations

Adjust chipotle powder according to your spice preference—start with less if you prefer mild heat.
For extra creaminess in the mash, add more almond milk or a splash of olive oil.
Green beans can be swapped for steamed broccoli or asparagus for variety.
Use ghee instead of butter for a richer, dairy-free flavor.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and mashed sweet potatoes in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of almond milk to the mash if needed to restore creaminess. Green beans are best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated and reheated within 1–2 days.

How to Serve

Four clear glass containers are arranged in a 2x2 grid on a white marbled surface. Each container holds three dark brown glazed meatballs placed on top of bright orange mashed sweet potatoes that cover about half the bottom layer. Next to the meatballs and sweet potatoes, there is a neat pile of fresh, vibrant green beans filling the remaining half of each container. The textures of the mashed sweet potatoes are smooth and fluffy with slight ridges, while the green beans look crisp, and the meatballs have a shiny, slightly sticky glaze. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken works well in this recipe. Just be sure to cook the meatballs thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F for poultry.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

This recipe is already dairy-free if you use ghee or a plant-based butter substitute and almond milk. Just avoid using regular butter to keep it fully dairy-free.