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Savory Albondigas Spanish Meatballs Recipe Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

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These Albondigas Spanish meatballs are tender, juicy, and simmered in a smoky, garlicky homemade tomato sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners, family gatherings, or potlucks, this recipe combines simple ingredients with bold flavors for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, chopped parsley, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, about 5 minutes.
  2. Using wet hands, form the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place on a plate or tray. This takes about 10 minutes.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches without crowding the pan. Brown each side for 3-4 minutes until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels. This takes about 15 minutes.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in smoked paprika, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds to toast spices.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Nestle browned meatballs into the sauce. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20-25 minutes, turning meatballs halfway through. Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use dairy-free milk alternatives like oat or almond milk if needed. Avoid overmixing meat to keep meatballs tender. Brown meatballs in batches to prevent steaming. If sauce thickens too much, add water or broth. Adjust sugar to balance acidity.

Nutrition

Keywords: Albondigas, Spanish meatballs, tomato sauce, easy meatballs, homemade sauce, comfort food, family dinner

Find it online: https://evabake.com/savory-albondigas-spanish-meatballs-recipe-easy-homemade-tomato-sauce/