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Chickpea Meatballs

Chickpea Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 313 kcal
Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKPEA MEATBALLS

  • 1 can chickpeas 15.5 oz / 440 grams
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs 40 grams
  • 1 egg
  • 1 small onion finey chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 carrot
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1.5 grams
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 8 grams
  • pinch sea salt
  • dash black pepper

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

  • 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 3 grams
  • 1 can tomato sauce 14.5 oz / 400 grams
  • pinch sea salt
  • dash black pepper

EXTRAS

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 60 ml
  • handful chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Drain the canned chickpeas into a colander and rinse under water, then shake off any excess water and transfer the chickpeas into a large bowl, using a potato masher or a large fork, mash down on the chickpeas until well mashed

  2. Once the chickpeas are mashed, add in the bread crumbs, crack in the egg and add in the chopped onion, then finely grate the garlic over the ingredients, finely grate the carrot (peeled), add in the cumin, parsley and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together until well mixed, then push down on the mixture to 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 and well binded together, the form it into a shape of a golf ball

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

  5. After a couple of minutes add in the chickpea 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 3 cloves of garlic that have been finely chopped, mix continuously, after 15 seconds add in a generous tsp of sweet smoked Spanish paprika, quickly mix together, then add in the canned tomato sauce and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and then simmer without mixing

  7. Once the tomato sauce has slightly thickened, about 3 minutes, add the chickpea meatballs back into the pan, give each one a gentle flip so they´re fully coated in the sauce, simmer for 3 to 4 minutes

  8. Transfer into serving dishes and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Spanish Paprika I used to make this Recipe (25% OFF Your Order if You Purchase from this Link)

Nutrition Facts
Chickpea Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 313 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 11g
Cholesterol 41mg14%
Sodium 1469mg64%
Potassium 610mg17%
Carbohydrates 31g10%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 3487IU70%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 97mg10%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.