Spiced Pork Meatballs with Tomato and Cumin Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender pork meatballs simmered in a fragrant tomato sauce enriched with cumin and smoked paprika for a comforting and flavorful dish. This Mediterranean-inspired game-day recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 1 small finely diced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/4 tsp salt, and 3/4 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Step 2: Shape mixture into 18 equal meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes total. Remove browned meatballs and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Stir and cook for 3 minutes to combine flavors.
  5. Step 5: Return meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until cooked through and sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve warm with rice or crusty bread.

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