Description
This Spanish Meatballs recipe features flavorful beef meatballs seasoned with paprika and garlic, simmered in a rich homemade tomato sauce infused with onions, garlic, and bay leaf. Perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal, these meatballs offer a delicious taste of traditional Spanish cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Tomato Sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1.5 pounds fresh whole tomatoes, cored and chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, whole milk, minced garlic, egg yolk, and 2 1/2 teaspoons paprika. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Knead everything together until the ingredients are well incorporated. Form the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs and chill them in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Brown the meatballs: Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chilled meatballs to the pan and cook them until they are browned on all sides, turning carefully. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
- Prepare the tomato sauce: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan and reduce the heat to medium. Sauté the finely diced yellow onion, minced garlic, and bay leaf until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon paprika for additional flavor. Add the chopped fresh tomatoes to the pan, stirring to combine well.
- Simmer meatballs in sauce: Return the browned meatballs back into the pan with the tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the meatballs simmer gently for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: After simmering, remove the bay leaf, transfer the meatballs and sauce to a serving bowl, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm with your choice of sides.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Fresh parsley garnish is optional but adds a nice fresh flavor and visual appeal.
- Ensure the meatballs are browned properly for enhanced flavor and texture.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or rice.
