Let’s face it—there’s something comforting about a perfectly seasoned meatball. Whether you like them on pasta, in a sub, or on their own, meatballs have a way of always hitting the spot. But if you’re craving a new take on this classic, these Meatball Smash Tacos are the answer. By smashing the meatballs onto tortillas and topping them with a rich and flavourful tomato sauce, this recipe gives you all the comforting flavours of meatballs, but with a fun, taco-style twist.
Looking for more tasty taco recipes? Try my Greek Chicken Gyros Smash Tacos and Mediterranean Lamb Smash Tacos.

How to make my Meatball Smash Tacos
Tomato Sauce:
The tomato sauce for this recipe is simple yet full of flavour, and it’s the perfect complement to the savoury meatballs. Here’s how to make it:
Sauté the aromatics – In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and sauté until softened and fragrant.
Add the tomatoes – Pour in the crushed tomatoes and passata, stirring to combine. Tear up the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer – Allow the sauce to simmer for 15-20 minutes, letting the the sauce thicken.
Meatballs:
While the tomato sauce simmers, it’s time to prepare the meatballs. Here’s how:
Combine the ingredients – In a large bowl, combine the pork and beef mince with the onion, garlic, fresh parsley, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and egg. Mix until well combined.
Form the meatballs – Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape them into meatballs. Using your hands or a spatula, evenly spread the meatball mixture over each tortilla, almost to the edges.
Assembling the Tortillas:
Once the meatballs are ready, it’s time to assemble:
Cook the tortillas – Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place each tortilla in the pan, meatball-side down, and cook until the meat is cooked through.
Flip and crisp – Flip the tortillas and cook the other side until the tortillas are nice and crisp.
Top with sauce and cheese – Once all the tortillas are cooked, spoon the tomato sauce over the meatball side. Grate some fresh parmesan on top and add a few fresh basil leaves.



Tips for making the best Meatball Smash Tacos
Don’t overwork the meatball mixture – Be gentle when mixing to keep the meatballs tender.
Get the pan hot for crispy tortillas – Make sure the pan is preheated so the tortillas crisp up without burning.
Macro Breakdown for one taco
Calories: 430 kcal
Protein: 30g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fat: 24g
The breakdown is an estimate based on typical ingredient values and standard portion sizes. Actual values may vary depending on specific ingredient brands, measurements, and preparation methods.
Meatball Smash Tacos
8
servings15
minutes15
minutesIngredients
8 medium tortillas
2 tbsp olive oil, for cooking tacos
- Meatballs:
500g lean pork mince
500g lean beef mince
1/2 brown onion, grated using box grater
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmesan, grated
1 egg
- Tomato sauce:
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 brown onion, chopped
1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
200g passata
3-4 fresh basil leaves, torn
Salt & pepper, to taste
- Topping:
Parmesan, grated
Fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Tomato Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and passata to the pan, stirring to combine.
- Add the basil leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavours to blend and sauce to thicken.
- Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the meatball ingredients. Mix well and divide into 8 equal portions.
- Using your hands or a spatula, evenly spread the meatball mixture over each tortilla, almost to the edges.
- Assemble:
- Heat a little olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Place each tortilla in the pan, meatball-side down, and cook for 2 minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
- Flip the tortilla and cook the other side until the tortilla is crisp. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Once cooked, top each tortilla with the tomato sauce, then sprinkle with grated parmesan and fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!