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Albóndigas

Juicy pork-and-beef meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce thickened with toasted almonds and scented with saffron.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 40 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Albóndigas - pork and beef meatballs in rich saffron tomato sauce

Tender beef-and-pork meatballs swim in a rustically rich tomato sauce thickened with almonds and scented with smoked paprika. Every spoonful is savory, garlicky, and deeply comforting — the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with a slow, homey aroma.

Albóndigas are tapas-bar staples and beloved home cooking alike, served sizzling in a clay cazuela with crusty bread for mopping up the sauce. Set them out with toothpicks for a party, or spoon them over rice for a full meal.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, half the garlic, half the parsley, paprika, and salt. Mix gently and roll into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 6 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
  3. In the same pan, soften the onion and remaining garlic over medium heat for 5 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
  4. Add the white wine and let it bubble down by half, then stir in the crushed tomatoes, almonds, and broth.
  5. Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer gently for 25 minutes until tender and the sauce has thickened.
  6. Season to taste, scatter with the remaining parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Roll the meatballs lightly — overworking the meat makes them dense. For a deeper sauce, use a splash of brandy in place of part of the wine.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook40 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →