Spanish Meatballs
with roasted cauliflower and olives
This is a Spanish twist on meatballs in red sauce that was first featured in our meal plan in 2015. The fragrant spices and side of roasted cauliflower make this a healthy and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- Garlic - 4 cloves, chopped
- Eggs - 1
- Almond meal - 1/4 cup
- Turkey, ground - 2 lbs
- Coriander, ground - 1/2 tsp
- Salt - 1 tsp
- Black pepper - 1/2 tsp
- Onions, medium - 1, diced
- Cilantro - 1 Tbsp, chopped
- Parchment paper (opt) - for baking
- Oil, olive - 1 Tbsp
- Paprika, smoked - 1 tsp
- Cumin - 1/2 tsp
- Vinegar, red wine - 2 Tbsp
- Tomatoes, crushed (28 oz / 794 g) - 1 can
- Stock, any type - 1/2 cup
- Cauliflower florets - 16 oz, chopped
- Olives, any variety - 1 cup, sliced
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
- Paprika, smoked - 1 tsp
- Cumin - 1 tsp
- Lemons, juice of - 1/2
Nutrition Facts
Prep
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Cauliflower / Olives / Onions / Garlic - (If prepping right before cooking, get oven heating first.) Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
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Make meatballs - (This makes enough for 2 nights.) Combine garlic, eggs, almond meal, turkey, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix together with a wooden spoon or with your hands. Form into 1” / 2.5 cm balls. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
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Cilantro - Chop cilantro.
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Make
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Heat oven to 400F / 204C degrees. Set out two sheet pans.
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On the first sheet pan, toss cauliflower florets with cooking oil, paprika, and cumin (portions for cauliflower). Season with some salt and pepper. Bake in the oven until golden brown and tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
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Line the second sheet pan with some parchment paper or brush it with some cooking oil. Spread meatballs out on sheet pan.
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Bake meatballs until cooked through, shaking the pan a couple times as they cook, 18 to 20 minutes total.
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While cauliflower and meatballs cook, heat a large skillet or saute pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and then onions to heated oil. Saute until onions are tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
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Add paprika and cumin (portions for Spanish tomato sauce) to onions and saute for 1 minute more. Stir in vinegar, tomatoes, and stock. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and keep at a low simmer until meatballs are done cooking.
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When meatballs are cooked through, add half to the sauce (reserve half for Thursday’s meal). Cover and simmer meatballs and sauce together for 5 minutes.
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When cauliflower is tender, stir in olives and lemon juice.
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Season meatballs and sauce with some salt and pepper.
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Serve meatballs and sauce with cauliflower on the side. Top both with cilantro. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Reviews
Ratings
73 reviews
It wasn't particularly flavorful and was quite watery. I think also the lovely picture with the meat balls didn't help with the comparison. We're trying to go more vegetarian and some times it feels like we are missing out!
Took more time than I expected if you don't prep in advanced, but so good! And it was great because this was used in a later meal in the week!
I ate the meatballs with some rice to soak up the sauce. The cauliflower was the best part though.