Albondigas Cuban Meatballs

Transport your taste buds to the heart of Cuban cuisine with these Albondigas Cuban Meatballs—a rich and flavorful dish perfect for any dinner table. Juicy ground beef and pork are seasoned with aromatic garlic, onion, parsley, and a medley of warm spices like cumin and oregano, then bound with breadcrumbs and milk for an irresistibly tender bite. Simmered in a luscious tomato sauce infused with beef broth and a touch of bay leaf, these hearty meatballs are bursting with traditional Cuban flavors. Serve them over fluffy white rice for a comforting and satisfying meal that’s simple to make yet deeply rewarding. With a prep time of just 20 minutes, this recipe is the perfect combination of quick, easy, and soulful. Search keywords: Cuban meatballs recipe, albondigas, Cuban dinner ideas, comfort food recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 1 Egg
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp Parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 15 oz Tomato sauce
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1 Bay leaf
• 2 cups White rice (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a plate or tray.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning carefully to brown all sides. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside on a plate.

Step 4

In the same skillet, pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir to combine, then add the bay leaf.

Step 5

Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

Step 6

Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure the meatballs cook evenly.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve warm over white rice, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2074.7 grams (2074.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3004

Total Fat 175.80g	225%
Saturated Fat 58.70g	294%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.50g
Cholesterol 707mg	236%
Sodium 5208mg	226%
Total Carbohydrate 187.80g	68%
Dietary Fiber 10.30g	37%
Total Sugars 20.70g
Protein 169.60g	339%

Vitamin D 75IU	374%
Calcium 418mg	32%
Iron 18mg	97%
Potassium 1849mg	39%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.5%

Protein: 22.5%

Carbs: 24.9%