Beef and Chorizo Meatballs (2024)

Updated: Sep 27, 2023 by Corina Blum · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 32 Comments

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These beef and chorizo meatballs are full of smoky paprika flavour in a rich deep tomato sauce. They are so good with spaghetti, making it the perfect Spanish Italian fusion recipe.

Looking for an easy midweek meal? Make Meatballs!

Meatballs are such a popular recipe in our house. I've made a lot of different meatball recipes over the years and many of them are invented on the spot and never written down.

After all, homemade meatballs are such an easy meal. As long as you've got some mince and a tin of tomatoes to make a sauce then it's easy to make a simple midweek meal.

I am a big chorizo fan. I happen to think that a little bit of chorizo can turn so many recipes from ordinary into outstanding and that is exactly what the chorizo does in these meatballs.

Some of my Chorizo Recipes

If you are regular reader of this blog you'll also know that I love chorizo. I've made many recipes with chorizo in including beef and chorizo burgers, cheesy chorizo pastries,creamy chorizo pasta and easy tomato and chorizo pasta. Just search for chorizo and you'll find a lot more too!

The Inspiration for these Beef and Chorizo Meatballs

This post was first written back in 2012 and I think it was one of the first recipes I made after Little Miss Spice was born. At the time I used to take part in a blogging challenge called The Secret Recipe Club. These meatballs are adapted from a recipe on Thru the Bugs on my Windshield although unfortunately this site is no longer online. My recipe is quite different in that the original didn't actually involve chorizo! It had hot Italian sausage in instead.

How to adapt this beef and chorizo meatballs recipe

I'm always happy to adapt a recipe to suit what I have in the fridge. If you've read above you'll see that I adapted this recipe from an Italian recipe and used chorizo instead of hot Italian sausage. Feel free to change it back or to use another hot sausage such as merguez or nduja.

I used dried herbs but if you have fresh ones then feel free to use them. You don't have to use exactly the same ones.

I served these meatballs with spaghetti as they go brilliantly with it and the sauce is just right for pasta. However, the beef and chorizo meatballs and sauce would also make a great filling for a jacket potato.

Do you have to simmer the pasta sauce for an hour?!

Normally I make quick pasta sauces for dinner. If I'm following a recipe that involves simmering for a long time, I don't always bother. That's fine for an everyday dinner and you certainly don't have to simmer the pasta sauce for an hour. But, if you are able to give it a long simmer it really does make a difference to the richness of the sauce.

What can you do with the leftover meatballs?

We ate these meatballs for dinner and there were leftovers too. The leftovers are easy to reheat in the microwave or in the oven. I like to put the reheated leftovers in a warm meatball baguette sandwich! Delicious!

Why not check out my Cook Once Eat Twice recipe collection for more meals with great leftovers?

Can you freeze the leftovers?

Oh yes, if you have leftovers meatballs and sauce then just wait till they have cooled and then pop them in the freezer. They'll freeze for up to three months.

When you want to eat them then defrost in the fridge overnight and then reheat them in the oven or microwave. You may need to add a splash of water so the sauce isn't too dry.

Recipe

Beef and Chorizo Meatballs

Corina Blum

These beef and chorizo meatballs are full of smoky paprika flavour in a rich deep tomato sauce. They'are so good with spaghetti, making it the perfect Spanish Italian fusion recipe.

4.71 from 17 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Fusion, Spanish

Servings 4

Calories 433 kcal

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Meatballs

300 g minced beef
70 g chorizo diced into small cubes
1 clove garlic
¼ onion finely diced
65 g breadcrumbs
1 egg
pinch black pepper
1tsp dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Ingredients for the Sauce

½ onion diced
1 clove garlic
800 g tinned chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon chilli flakes
Pinch black pepper
½ teaspoon sugar
100 ml beef stock
2 bay leaves
Grated parmesan to serve (optional)

Instructions

First make the sauce. Put a little olive oil in a saucepan and cook the onion till softened. Add the garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes then add the tomatoes and all the other ingredients. Simmer very gently for at least an hour.
To make the meatballs put all the ingredients into a bowl. Mix together with your hands and then form into meatballs.
Heat a little oil in a frying pan. Add the meatballs. Cook for five minutes then turn. Cook for another five minutes.
Transfer the meatballs to the tomato sauce. Stir so the sauce coats all the meatballs. Continue to cook over a low heat for about 10 minutes. Serve with pasta and grated parmesan.

Notes

Nutritional information is approximate and a guideline only.

Nutrition

Calories: 433kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 24gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 724mgPotassium: 991mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 640IUVitamin C: 20.4mgCalcium: 133mgIron: 6mg

Keyword Chorizo meatballs

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More Tasty Meatball Recipes

If you liked this recipe then why not check out one of these meatball recipes:

Keep in touch

Do let me know if you make this beef and chorizo meatballs recipe. I love to get feedback from readers.

You can also stay up to date by following onInstagram,Facebookand Twitter.

More Beef Recipes

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Easy Healthy Chilli Con Carne with Hidden Vegetables
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Easy Barbacoa Beef Steak Tacos

About Corina Blum

Corina Blum loves easy healthy recipes that taste great and often involve spices. She's a big fan of air frying and loves developping recipes inspired by global flavours. As well as a food content creator shes also a busy mum of two children.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Adrianna C
October 23, 2023 at 2:35 pm

My boyfriend and I made it together and it was delicious! Super flavorful. We both loved it.
Reply
- Corina Blum
  October 23, 2023 at 3:24 pm
  Thank you for letting me know. I'm so pleased you both liked it.
  Reply
Martin Stevens
April 18, 2021 at 2:30 pm

Did these with spaghetti last night and my wife voted them the best meatballs she's ever eaten. Definitely a new favourite.
Reply
- Corina Blum
  April 18, 2021 at 9:24 pm
  Thanks for letting me know Martin! I'm so pleased you both enjoyed them.
  Reply
Beth
November 20, 2018 at 7:03 pm

Chorizo is such a wonderful addition to meatballs! Must add a huge punch of flavor! I can't wait to try this!
Reply
- Corina Blum
  November 21, 2018 at 10:18 am
  Yay! We are huge fans of chorizo and it makes the meatballs so tasty in this recipe as well as flavouring the sauce.
  Reply
Jacqueline Debono
November 20, 2018 at 11:46 am

This recipe is so drool worthy! I can imagine how good the meatballs and sauce taste. I love making meatballs but have never made them with spicy sausage. Def going to try it although in my case it will be spicy Italian sausage, as it's hard to find chorizo here in Italy!
Reply
- Corina Blum
  November 20, 2018 at 2:24 pm
  I bet you'd love this recipe Jacqueline and they'd be great with spicy Italian sausage. I think anything that gives the meatballs that little bit of extra flavour is wonderful here!
  Reply
Jeannette
November 19, 2018 at 9:02 am

You have GOT to be kidding me with this! I am sooooo excited. I live in another country and this new store JUST brought in chorizo. I swear my husband and I went broke buying some. I cannot wait to try these out on the family next week. I am not sure if I want to share!
Reply
- Corina Blum
  November 19, 2018 at 11:51 am
  See Also
  Savory Butternut Squash
  Make sure you make enough so you can enjoy the leftovers the next day! I'm usually eating lunch at home by myself and the leftovers of this were delicious.
  Reply
Alisa Infanti
November 18, 2018 at 3:48 pm

I too am known to make recipes on the fly and never write them down so now I have a note pad on my fridge that I can scribble down the ingredients so i don't forget when something turns out amazing! I love that this recipe can be changed to any meat on hand which makes it an easy dinner recipe on the fly!
Reply
- Corina Blum
  November 19, 2018 at 11:50 am
  Yes, I am always happy to adapt recipes a little! I just have to remember how I adapted them for the next time!
  Reply
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
November 18, 2018 at 11:54 am

I love meatballs and chorizo too - what a fantastic combination of flavours! Definitely one to try soon.
Reply
- Corina Blum
  November 19, 2018 at 11:48 am
  Thanks Amanda! They are so good so I'm sure you'll like them if you love chorizo!
  Reply
[emailprotected]
November 09, 2018 at 6:52 pm
These look absolutely gorgeous. I love meatballs, they are so rich and hearty. And it's definitely meatball weather at the moment!
Reply
- Corina Blum
  November 09, 2018 at 7:39 pm
  Thanks Anna! I love meatball recipes at this time of year - real comfort food!
  Reply
sybaritica
June 19, 2012 at 6:55 pm
The chorizo is a nee idea... I bet other sausage would be good too.
Reply
Katerina
June 14, 2012 at 8:38 pm
This is definitely a comfort meal one cannot possibly refuse! Glad to see you back!
Reply
oureatinghabits
June 14, 2012 at 7:17 pm
There is something about meatballs and pasta, a flavor combination that can't be beat!
Reply
Leslie @ La Cocina de Leslie
June 13, 2012 at 11:50 pm
These look and sound delicious! Especially with the addition of chorizo. Yummm! Thank you so much for linking up with the Food of the Month Club.
Reply
Tandy
June 13, 2012 at 6:55 am
looks yummy! hope you and the baby are both doing well 🙂
Reply
kitchen flavours
June 13, 2012 at 2:46 am
This looks so delicious! Serve with pasta looks really good! Take care! Hugs to baby!
Reply
Jacqueline @How to be a Gourmand
June 12, 2012 at 10:59 am
Corina, this is a beautiful recipe! I think chorizo is an essential to have in the fridge - you can always whip up something special with it. Yes, always worth reducing the tomato sauce down as the flavour gets more intense. Thanks for introducing Suzanne's blog. Just popping over for a visit now 🙂
Reply
Betsy
June 12, 2012 at 5:39 am
Still sounds good to me! you totally get a pass on the disorganization with the new baby. Hang in there! hope you're back to blogging again soon.
Reply
Trisha
June 12, 2012 at 4:16 am
Chorizo sounds like a wonderful addition, they must really take these already great sounding meatballs up a few notches!
Reply
Angie Augsburger
June 12, 2012 at 1:06 am
These flavors sound amazing. I bet they were super delish together! great choice!!
Reply
Lisa~~
June 11, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Looks delicious, love the chorizo in the sauce, yum!
If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my group "A" SRC entry: Candied Popcorn.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
Reply
Hezzi-D
June 11, 2012 at 8:10 pm
This looks really good! All the flavors together sound delicious.
Reply
Dan
June 11, 2012 at 6:12 pm
yes, the chorizo in the meatballs probably makes the dish - what an amazing idea.
Reply
colleen
June 11, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Sounds delicious and I hope having some time in the kitchen was relaxing for you rather than stressful with all you have going on right now.
Reply
Owen's Mom
June 11, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Yum! That does sound like a good recipe. I am excited about the chorizo in the meatballs. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Suzanne
June 11, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Ooooooo, Corina! This looks wonderful! And I LOVE the addition of the chorizo. I always have some on hand, but had never thought about using it in the meatballs. Just fabulous! Thanks for a great write up and your pictures are stunning. I hope you drop in again!
Reply

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