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White Bean "Meatballs" in Garlic Tomato Sauce

White Bean "Meatballs" in Garlic Tomato Sauce

Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 340 kcal
Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

FOR THE WHITE BEAN MEATBALLS

  • 1 can white beans 15.5 oz / 440 grams
  • 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs 45 grams
  • 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley 8 grams
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1.50 grams
  • 1 large egg
  • sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE GARLIC TOMATO SAUCE

  • 4 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
  • 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme .50 grams
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes .65 grams
  • 1 can tomato sauce (passata) 15 oz / 425 grams
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth 60 ml
  • sea salt & black pepper

EXTRAS

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 60 ml
  • chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Drain the can of white beans into a colander and rinse under water, then shake off any excess water, transfer the beans into a large bowl, using a potato masher or a large fork, mash down on the beans until they're well mashed

  2. Once the beans are mashed, add in the breadcrumbs, chopped onion, chopped garlic, chopped parsley, ground cumin, and crack in the egg, then season with salt & pepper, mix together until well mixed, then push down on the mixture to end up with a paste-like texture

  3. To shape the white bean meatballs, grab a spoonful of the mixture and squeeze it in your hands, this is to ensure the ingredients are well bound 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 white bean meatballs, all in a single layer and evenly spaced out, 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 make the garlic tomato sauce, add in the chopped garlic, mix continuously, after 30 seconds to 1 minute and garlic is fragrant, add in the paprika, thyme, and crushed red pepper, quickly mix together, then add in the canned tomato sauce, vegetable broth, and season with salt & pepper, mix together and then let it simmer

  7. After simmering the tomato sauce for 5 minutes and it has slightly thickened, add the white bean meatballs back into the pan, once again in a single layer and evenly spaced out, then gently flip each one, this way they're fully coated in all that goodness, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes

  8. Transfer the tomato sauce and white bean meatballs into serving dishes, top off with chopped parsley, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Spanish Olive Oil I used to make this Recipe

Nutrition Facts
White Bean "Meatballs" in Garlic Tomato Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 340 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 11g
Cholesterol 47mg16%
Sodium 599mg26%
Potassium 921mg26%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 988IU20%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 138mg14%
Iron 6mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.