Smoky Spanish-style Meatball Pasta

Smoky Spanish-style Meatball Pasta

These Spanish-inspired meatball burst with flavour. You'll combine juicy British beef mince with smoked paprika and parsley, sizzle until golden, then simmer in a smokey & tangy sauce, with red pepper and sundried tomato paste. Olé!

High protein 1/3 daily fibre 5 plants

Serving size

Cook time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Spanish
Food group: Beef
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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Before you start

  • Boil a kettle
  • Pull out a sieve, 2 large mixing bowls, a measuring jug a large frying pan & a medium saucepan

Get prepping

  • Finely chop the parsley. Finely dice the onion and pepper
  • Halve the tomatoes. Finely chop or crush the garlic

Make the meatballs

  • Add the beef mince, parsley, half the garlic and half the paprika to a large mixing bowl
  • Season generously with salt. Form into 10 balls
  • Heat the large frying pan with 2 tsp oil on medium high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for 5 mins, turning frequently until browned all over
  • Remove from the pan and set to one side

Build the dish

  • Reheat the meatball pan on medium-high heat and add the pepper, onion and tomatoes. Cook for 5-7 mins, until softening
  • Add the remaining garlic and paprika. Cook for 30 secs, then add the sundried tomato paste and half the vinegar
  • Cook for 1 min, then add the passata, beef stock and 100ml (50ml for 1 person) of water
  • Return the meatballs to the pan. Simmer on high for 5 mins, then lower the heat and gently simmer for 10 mins, until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through

Cook the pasta & dress the salad

  • Fill the saucepan with salted hot water and bring to the boil
  • Add the penne and boil for 7-8 mins, until cooked, then drain. Stir into the sauce
  • In the other large mixing bowl, add 1 tsp oil and the remaining vinegar
  • Toss the rocket in the dressing

Plate up

  • Check your meat is cooked through; it should be golden brown, steaming hot, the juices should run clear when cut and there should be no pink / rare meat inside
  • Serve the meatball pasta alongside the salad

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