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Tuna MEATBALLS in Spanish Tomato Sauce

Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

FOR THE TUNA MEATBALLS

  • 2 three ounce cans tuna in olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 3 tbsp finely diced onions
  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped chives
  • 2 tbsp plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
  • 2 cage-free organic eggs
  • sea salt
  • black pepper

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

  • 1/2 onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
  • 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • sea salt
  • black pepper

EXTRAS

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • handful freshly chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Drain two 3-ounce cans of tuna in olive oil into a sieve with a bowl underneath, flake the tuna around to remove any of the excess oil, transfer the tuna into a large bowl, shred in 1 large clove of garlic, add in 3 tbsp of finely diced onions, 2 tbsp of freshly chopped chives, a generous 2 tbsp of breadcrumbs, 1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika, crack in 2 medium sized eggs and season everything with sea salt & black pepper, mix together until well combined and you end up with a thick paste (if your mixture is too runny, add in more breadcrumbs)

  2. To shape the meatballs, grab some of the mixture with a spoon and shape into a ball with your hands, you want the meatball to be the size of a golf ball, make sure everything is compact as you´re shaping each one, you should end up with about 10 tuna meatballs

  3. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in a generous 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, after 2 minutes add the tuna meatballs into the pan, making sure they are all in a single layer, move them arround occasionally that way they cook all around, after 4 to 5 minutes and they have developed a golden fried color to them, start removing the tuna meatballs from the pan and transfer to a dish with paper towels

  4. Using the same pan with the same heat, add in 1/2 onion that has been finely diced and 3 cloves garlic finely minced, mix around with the oil, after 3 minutes add in 1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika and mix until well combined, then add one 15 oz can of tomato sauce and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix until well combined and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then add in the tuna meatballs and mix so they´re all evenly coated with the sauce, transfer to serving dishes, sprinkle with freshly chopped chives, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Extra Virgin Spanish Olive Oil I used to make this recipe