If your toddler loves meatballs as much as mine does, then you are going to love today’s post. I was looking for a way to add some veggies to a standard meatball recipe and after mulling it over for a while, I realized that since we love the flavor combination of sausage and sweet potato, I could use that as a starting point for meatballs. These homemade Sweet Potato Sausage Meatballs are a yummy change of pace for family dinner.
We actually had meatballs for my daughter’s first birthday because she has always loved them so much. And these, while having a different flavor than classic Italian-style ones, are familiar enough to still be accepted easily at dinnertime. The recipe uses only a half pound of meat and a full cup of sweet potato so you get the flavor of the sausage, as well as the moisture and nutrition from the sweet potato.
MY LATEST VIDEOSWe’ve eaten them plain, along with simple side dishes, or the more expected way with pasta sauce—like our Veggie-Loaded Marinara Sauce—and noodles. They hold up well as leftovers, so you could send one in a lunch (or even slice it into a salad or a sandwich for yourself!)
I bake these meatballs and make one change from how I normally cook them—I place them on a rack. Sausage tends to have more fat than ground beef, so this way, it drains off of the meatballs. You can cook them straight on the pan, but be sure to drain them on a paper towel-lined plate before serving or tossing with sauce.
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Method:
Cuisine:
Print
PinDescription
I use cornmeal in my meatballs to make them gluten-free, but you could use regular breadcrumbs (either plain or Italian-flavored) instead. Start with the lower amount of 1/2 cup and add a little bit more at a time until the mixture holds together easily. Serve these with marinara sauce or ketchup, as desired.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
- 1 cup grated sweet potato
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2–3/4 cup cornmeal
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then top with a baking rack. Spray with nonstick spray or wipe down with canola oil and a paper towel. Set aside.
- Mix all ingredients well in a medium bowl with clean hands. Start with 1/2 cup cornmeal and add more as needed to create a mixture that easily holds together in a ball shape. Form into golf ball size balls and place onto the prepared baking rack. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until cooked through and starting to brown.
- Drain on a paper towel lined plate if desired. (Most of the fat drains off onto the foil, but you may still want to roll them around on a paper towel before serving.)
Notes
Variations
Use breadcrumbs instead of cornmeal.
Add freshly minced parsley.
Try ground turkey or chicken.
My little munchkin LOVED them and wanted to eat them whole. Ha! Thank you for the recipe!
Hooray!!
Should it be grated raw sweet potato or cooked? Thanks!
Raw! (Though it’s possible that mashed cooked would work too;)
Great recipe! I made these for my one year old daughter as I’m trying to get her to eat more meat and she loves sweet potatoes! She ate most of her portion, and my husband and I enjoyed the meatballs as well.
I’m glad that you all enjoyed them!