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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Mediterranean

Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)

May 3, 2021 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 13 Comments

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A plate of albondigas with a text title overlay.

Albondigas are delicious Spanish meatballs in a rich and smoky tomato sauce. A must at any tapas feast, but equally delicious served on pasta or mashed potato. Either save some time and buy ready made meatballs, or use our really simple meatball recipe that is packed with flavour.

A plate of albondigas next to a bowl of rice and a bowl of olives.

Melt in your mouth meatballs are cooked in an incredibly rich, a little bit smokey, tomato sauce that has a hint of red wine in it. If you have been to a tapas restaurant, or spent any time in Spain, then you will be familiar with these. So, why not give them a go yourself?

If you are looking for more meatball recipes, then why not try our Sticky Chicken Meatballs, Air Fryer Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs, Ricotta and Chicken Meatballs or Greek Lamb Traybake?

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love Them
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • What Is Tapas?
  • Homemade Meatballs
  • Meatball Sauce
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Tapas Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Why You Will Love Them

  • A new way to serve meatballs
  • A must at any tapas feast
  • Great for sharing
  • Can be batch cooked and kept in the freezer

Ingredients and Substitutions

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Pork mince - You can use beef or pork mince in albondigas, but we really like the flavour of pork mince. You can use a mixture of the two.
  • Garlic - Fresh is always best, but you can save yourself some time by using ready chopped garlic from a jar.
  • Paprika - This is what gives the meatballs a delicious smokey flavour. Make sure it is still in date, otherwise it won't have the same flavour.
  • Chilli powder - We love our albondigas with a kick of spice. If you don't they you can always leave it out.
  • Parsley - Fresh parsley helps to lighten them you. You could swap it for dried if you don't have any fresh.
  • Breadcrumbs - this helps to bind the meatballs together. You can use any bread crumbs, although we wouldn't recommend something like panko.
  • Egg - This also helps to bind the meatballs. If you want them egg free, then you could just add a little milk to the breadcrumbs.
  • Shallots - You can swap this for finely diced red or brown onion.
  • Tomatoes - We used a can of chopped tomatoes for the meatball sauce. Try to use the best quality tomatoes that you can, as you really will taste the difference. Cheap tomatoes are watery and you won't get the same sauce.
  • Red wine - You don't have to add this, but it adds a nice richness to the sauce.

More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.

Step by Step Instructions

One: In a large bowl, add all the ingredients for the meatballs.

A bowl of pork mince, herbs and spices.

Two: Mix well and then form in to 20 meatballs.

A plate with raw meatballs on it.

Three: Add some oil to a large frying pan and then brown them all all sides (this will take about 5 minutes). Remove them from the pan and set aside.

A frying pan with meatballs browning in it.

Four: Start the sauce by adding some more oil to the pan and adding the shallots and garlic and gently cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine and then simmer for 2 minutes.

A frying pan with a deep purple sauce cooking in it.

Five: Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and simmer for 3 minutes.

A frying pan with a tomato sauce cooking in it.

Six: Put the meatballs back in the pan with the sauce, mix well and simmer for 10 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

A frying pan with meatballs cooking in a tomato sauce.

What Is Tapas?

In Spanish, you can have one ‘tapa’ and two or more ‘tapas’. It is basically a small plate of Spanish cuisine and translates to ‘top’ or ‘lid’. 

It is said that when people drank Sherry, they often covered their wine glasses with a slice of bread or meat to keep the flies from doing a nose-dive into the wine, and that is how tapas began and where it got its name. Tapas is classic Spanish cuisine.

Nowadays it is a popular cuisine all over the world and has moved on from a slice of ham covering a wine glass. There are many types of Tapas Bars and recipes can vary regionally, but popular tapas choices include chicken skewers, meatballs, cod croquettes, garlic prawns and crispy smokey potatoes – many of the recipes you will find on our blog.

The benefit of tapas is you can enjoy 4-5 smaller plates, and even share, so you get to have a hearty meal without being stuffed and you get to try a few different things. These Albondigas are a must on any tapas table.

A table covered in various tapas dishes.

Homemade Meatballs

You can use your favourite meatball recipe, save some time and use ready made store bought one, or make the one in this recipe which is our tried and tested favourite, that goes perfectly with the sauce.

We use 100% pork mince, however you could use beef or a mix of the two. We then mix in some breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic, paprika and a little bit of chilli to give the meatballs something extra. 

What makes Spanish meatballs different from Italian meatballs is their size. Because they are meant for tapas, and sharing, then are quite small compared to Italian meatballs which are larger because they are part of a main meal.

A plate of meatballs in a tomato sauce topped with chopped herbs.

Meatball Sauce

I mean, the meatballs are amazing, but it really is all about the smokey tomato sauce. It is epic! 

First we gently cook some shallots and garlic and then add a big glug of red wine and let it reduce. You want to use a really good quality red wine, as you will taste the difference - we used a Merlot.

Then we added some really good quality tinned chopped tomatoes and the all important paprika that gives it the delicious smokey taste. You can add some chilli here as well if you want.

Serving Suggestions

These albondigas are a must at any tapas feast (which is a great choice if you are putting together a dinner party and want something that will really wow) and we have loads of tapas recipes below for you to try.

However, we have also eaten leftovers on pasta and mashed potatoes. Spaghetti and meatballs is such a classic comforting dish and these meatballs are something a little bit different.

They are also delicious just eaten with some crusty bread fresh from the oven.

Extra Tips

  • You can add some extra flavour and heat to the sauce by adding a little chilli powder to it. Add a little at a time to get the right spice level for you.
  • We used pork mince, but you could use beef or a mixture of the two.
  • Feel free to use store bought ready made meatballs or your favourite meatball recipe.
  • You can oven bake the meatballs, but they won't get the crispy edges and flavour you get from frying.
  • If you want to freeze this dish, you can either freeze the meatballs before they are cooked, or once they are in the sauce.
Meatballs on a plate in front of olives and rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can albondigas be oven cooked?

If you don't want to fry your meatballs, then you can bake them in the oven and then just add them to the sauce after. However, we find they don't get the deliciously crispy edges that give them so much flavour.

How to freeze albondigas

Yes, this is a great dish for batch cooking and freezing and you actually have a couple of options here. You can either make up the albondigas and freeze them before they are cooked, or you can follow the whole recipe and then freeze them in the sauce.
By freezing the uncooked meatballs, you then have lots of use for them, rather than just having them in this sauce.

More Tapas Recipes

  • A bowl of green Spanish olives with lemon wedges.
    Spanish Olives
  • Paprika Chicken Skewers on a plate with paprika dip.
    Paprika Chicken Skewers
  • A slice of Spanish omelette on a plate with vine tomatoes and green salad leaves
    Tortilla (Spanish Omelette)
  • Gambas pil pil in a bowl with a chunk of bread.
    Gambas Pil Pil

If you’ve tried this Spanish meatball recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

A plate of albondigas with chopped herbs sprinkled on top

Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)

By: Dannii Martin
Albondigas are delicious Spanish meatballs in a rich and smokey tomato sauce. A must at any tapas feast, but equally delicious served with pasta or potato.
4.89 from 18 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Tapas
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Spanish
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 22 minutes mins
Total: 27 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 309kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a cracked egg.
Eggs
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten
An illustration of a cow's head.
Meat
An illustration of a wine glass.
Sulphites

Ingredients

Meatballs:

  • 250 g (8.75 oz) Pork mince
  • 3 Garlic clove - crushed
  • 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
  • 0.5 tablespoon Paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon Chilli powder - or to taste
  • 5 g Fresh parsley - chopped
  • 1 Egg
  • 70 g (0.66 cups) Breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 2 Shallots - diced
  • 3 Garlic cloves
  • 100 ml (0.5 cups) Red wine
  • 400 g (2.5 cups) Chopped tomatoes - canned
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add 250 g Pork mince, 3 Garlic clove, 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper, 0.5 tablespoon Paprika, 0.5 teaspoon Chilli powder, 5 g Fresh parsley, 1 Egg and 70 g Breadcrumbs.
  • Mix well and then form in to 20 meatballs.
  • Add 1 tablespoon Olive oil to a large frying pan and then brown the meatballs on all sides (this will take about 5 minutes). Remove them from the pan and set aside.
  • Start the sauce by adding 1 tablespoon Olive oil to the pan and adding 2 Shallots and 3 Garlic cloves and gently cook for 2 minutes. Add 100 ml Red wine and then simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Add 400 g Chopped tomatoes, 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper and simmer for 3 minutes.
  • Put the meatballs back in the pan with the sauce, mix well and simmer for 10 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Recipe Tips

  • You can add some extra flavour and heat to the sauce by adding a little chilli powder to it. Add a little at a time to get the right spice level for you.
  • We used pork mince, but you could use beef or a mixture of the two.
  • Feel free to use store bought ready made meatballs or your favourite meatball recipe.
  • You can oven bake the meatballs, but they won't get the crispy edges and flavour you get from frying.
  • If you want to freeze this dish, you can either freeze the meatballs before they are cooked, or once they are in the sauce.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 5meatballs | Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 540mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1033IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 3mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Andrea says

    May 04, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely love how easily this flavorful meatball dish comes together. I can't wait to taste them.

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    May 04, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    5 stars
    We love the bold flavors of Spanish foods and can't wait to try this. It's also great that they can be made ahead and frozen.

    Reply
    • PAUL WILKINSON says

      March 25, 2023 at 3:14 pm

      Can you put the meatballs in the fridge overnight.

      Reply
      • Dannii says

        March 25, 2023 at 5:45 pm

        Yes, they will keep in an air tight container in the fridge.

        Reply
  3. Caroline says

    May 04, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    5 stars
    I haven't had albondigas in so long, they really are such a tasty tapas dish. These look like a tasty version of them, and appreciate all the tips.

    Reply
  4. Allyssa says

    May 04, 2021 at 12:49 pm

    5 stars
    Super genius recipe for meatballs! Very easy and delicious! Will surely make it again!

    Reply
  5. veenaazmanov says

    May 04, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    5 stars
    These meat balls look spicy, juicy , moist and delicious. Making such amazing and flavorful stuff at home is a treat to my family. They to love it all.

    Reply
  6. Mairead says

    May 04, 2021 at 10:56 am

    5 stars
    That sauce looks amazing. Thanks for a wonderful meatball recipe - adding it to my kitchen files.

    Reply
  7. Irina says

    May 03, 2021 at 10:37 pm

    5 stars
    Oh, my thanks! Finally, I have found a great and tasty alternative to Italian meatballs. :) I followed your recipe and made meatballs - the best I have ever eaten!

    Reply
  8. HEATHER PERINE says

    May 03, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    5 stars
    I am the biggest fan of meatballs but have never tried albondigas before. Can't wait to try this recipe, the flavors and spices added sound delicious!

    Reply
  9. Sara Welch says

    May 03, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    5 stars
    Such a hearty and bold recipe that does not disappoint! Worthy of a restaurant, indeed; my whole family loved these!

    Reply
  10. Angela says

    May 03, 2021 at 9:00 pm

    5 stars
    One of my favorite tapas items! These albondigas are so good and the flavors are spot on.

    Reply
  11. Beth says

    May 03, 2021 at 3:06 pm

    5 stars
    I wish I could taste these through a picture, but I will definitely be making these very soon! So excited to try them and my family is going to love them too!

    Reply
4.89 from 18 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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