Spain on a Fork > All Recipes > Main Dishes > Got Canned Sardines? Make these Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
All Recipes, Main Dishes / January 22, 2025

Got Canned Sardines? Make these Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

These Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, known as Albóndigas de Sardina en Salsa de Tomate, are what simple and delicious food is all about. We’re talking a ton of great flavors, easy to make, and all done in 30 minutes. Serve them next to some roasted potatoes and a garden salad for a complete meal.

Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

To make this recipe, I used Spanish canned sardines in olive oil. You can use whatever type of canned sardines you like. But I tell you, by using the Spanish kind, it gives the sardine meatballs a beautiful lift of flavors.

Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

To make the tomato sauce, I used a combination of garlic, canned tomato sauce (passata), and sweet smoked and hot smoked paprika. You can mix it up and add in other spices or even herbs if you like.

Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: When making the sardine meatball mixture. Make sure to push down on it once it’s well mixed. This is to ensure the mixture is well bound. That way the sardine meatballs don’t fall apart when being cooked.

Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
SPANISH CANNED SARDINES (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon Code ONAFORK)
SPANISH OLIVE OIL (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon Code ONAFORK)

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Watch the Video Below on How to Make Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce | Albóndigas de Sardina en Salsa de Tomate

Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 228 kcal
Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

FOR THE SARDINE MEATBALLS

  • 2 cans sardines in olive oil 4.2 oz / 120 grams each
  • 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs 35 grams
  • 2 cage-free organic eggs
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion 40 grams
  • 1 clove garlic (finely grated)
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley 8 grams
  • sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

  • 3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
  • 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
  • 1/2 tsp hot smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
  • 1 can tomato sauce (passata) 15 oz / 425 grams
  • sea salt & black pepper

EXTRAS

  • chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Drain the cans of sardines into a fine sieve with a bowl underneath and shake off any of the excess oil in the sardines, then transfer them into a large bowl and using a large wooden spoon, break the sardines apart into small chunks

  2. Add in the bread crumbs over the sardines, crack in the eggs, add in the chopped onion, grated garlic, and chopped parsley, then season with sea salt & black pepper and mix together, once well mixed, push down on the mixture until you end up with a paste-like texture

  3. To shape the meatballs, grab a spoonful of the mixture and squeeze it in your hands, this is to ensure the ingredients are well bound together, then form into the shape of a golf ball, if you see your mixture is too dry add in some whisked egg, if it's too wet add in some more bread crumbs

  4. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the reserved olive oil from the canned sardines

  5. After a couple of minutes add in the sardine meatballs, all in a single layer, fry for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden fried all around, then remove from the pan and set aside

  6. Using the same pan with the same heat, add in the chopped garlic, mix continuously, after 30 to 45 seconds add in the sweet smoked paprika and hot smoked paprika, quickly mix together, then add in the canned tomato sauce and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and then simmer for a few minutes

  7. After 5 minutes and the tomato sauce has slightly thickened, add the sardine meatballs back into the pan, all in a single layer, then gently flip each one, so they're fully coated in the sauce, simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the sardine meatballs are heated through

  8. Transfer the tomato sauce into a serving dish, top off with the sardine meatballs and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Spanish Canned Sardines I used to make this Recipe (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon ONAFORK)

Nutrition Facts
Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce | Albóndigas de Sardina en Salsa de Tomate
Amount Per Serving
Calories 228 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 172mg57%
Sodium 783mg34%
Potassium 667mg19%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 1186IU24%
Vitamin C 12mg15%
Calcium 295mg30%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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1 Comment

  1. Got Canned Sardines? Make these Sardine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce – Assinante Bronze

    […] FULL RECIPE HERE: https://spainonafork.com/got-canned-sardines-make-these-sardine-meatballs-in-tomato-sauce […]

    23 . Jan . 2025

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