Beef and Lamb Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce
These tender beef and lamb meatballs are gently simmered in a richly spiced tomato sauce made with garlic, cumin, and paprika. Designed for weeknight cooking, this one-pan recipe delivers deep flavor using simple pantry ingredients while keeping the texture moist and juicy. Perfect with rice or bread, it is a comforting, protein-rich meal that works equally well for family dinners or make-ahead planning.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 450 g ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Tomato Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 400 g crushed tomatoes
- 0.5 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef or lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape into small meatballs and let them rest for 10 minutes.
Make the Tomato Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté garlic briefly, then add crushed tomatoes, spices, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Cook the Meatballs
- Add meatballs to the sauce, cover, and cook over low heat for 20 minutes until cooked through.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a small splash of water while simmering.