This simple recipe for bola de carne creates a hearty “meat bread” that feeds a crowd.

A traditional dish from Portuguese cuisine, bola de carne is an easy dinner idea, and a great way to use up leftovers.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase, this site may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy on the original site.

If you aren’t familiar with bola de carne, you’re in for a treat. This Portuguese specialty combines bread, meat, and cheese into a satisfying baked loaf that serves many with little fuss — ideal for family dinners, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.

The name literally translates to “meat ball” or “meat bread” depending on the region, and recipes vary across families and local traditions. Some versions use sliced deli or cured meats; others use shredded or pulled pork or beef. Cheese may be included or omitted, and the dough can range from a thicker bread base to a rolled style similar to stromboli. Despite variations, the concept is the same: a soft interior, crisp exterior, and a flavorful meat filling.

Besides being delicious, bola de carne is an excellent way to use leftovers like pulled pork or shredded roast beef. It’s flexible and forgiving: swap cheeses, seasonings, or meats to match what you have on hand.

More Tasty, Hearty Main Dish Recipes:

• Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
• Easy Cowboy Stew
• Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

How Do You Make Bola de Carne?

There are many traditional approaches to making bola de carne, but the common thread is a bread batter or dough layered with meat and often cheese. This version uses a yeast-based batter that bakes up soft inside with a crisp, flavorful crust.

The finished loaf is rich and filling: a bread-like exterior encases a savory layer of shredded pork or beef and melted cheese. One batch feeds a crowd, making it a favorite for gatherings.

As with many family recipes, feel free to adapt the components. Add spices to the batter, choose different cheeses, or increase the meat for a heartier result.

How to Make Bola de Carne

Making bola de carne is straightforward and requires common pantry ingredients. The batter has a pourable consistency, more like cake batter than traditional bread dough, which yields a tender crumb after baking.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Milk
• Olive oil
• Eggs
• All-purpose flour
• Yeast
• Salt
• Cheese
• Shredded beef or pork

How to Make It:

Combine wet ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine milk, olive oil, eggs, and yeast. Mix briefly on low or medium speed to combine.

Add dry ingredients. With the mixer on low, add flour and salt gradually. The batter will be pourable rather than a stiff dough. Stir in about 1 cup of shredded cheese until just combined; freshly shredded cheese melts best, but packaged works too.

Layer. Grease a 9×13″ baking dish and pour half the batter into the pan. Spread the shredded meat evenly over the batter so each slice will contain filling. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the meat, then pour the remaining batter over the top, smoothing gently if needed.

Bake. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 45–50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the loaf springs back when pressed lightly. Let it cool about 10 minutes before slicing.

Slices can be adjusted for appetite—serve thin for a side with salad or thicker for a filling main. Bola de carne keeps well and reheats nicely, so leftovers are a bonus.

Notes and Adaptations:

• Swap meats and cheeses. Leftover BBQ pork with shredded cheddar is delicious, but you can use sliced cured meats, deli cuts, or other shredded proteins. Traditional versions sometimes use marinated shredded pork.
• Meat quantities. Use at least 2 cups of shredded meat to cover the layer; increase to 3–4 cups for a meatier loaf.
• Season the filling. If using plain shredded meat, add sauces or spices so the filling isn’t bland. You can also flavor the batter with garlic or onion powder.

Yield: 10-12 Servings

Bola de Carne

Bola de carne, from traditional Portuguese cuisine, is a delicious baked bread with meat and cheese, making a simple yet filling meal.

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
45 minutes

Total Time
55 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups olive oil
• 5 eggs
• 1 TBSP yeast
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 cups shredded beef or pork

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
2. In a stand mixer bowl, combine milk, olive oil, eggs, and yeast and mix on low until combined.
3. With the mixer on low, gradually add flour and salt and mix until smooth; the batter will be pourable.
4. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese until just incorporated.
5. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, spread shredded meat evenly over the batter, and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup cheese.
6. Pour the remaining batter over the meat and cheese, smoothing gently.
7. Bake 45–50 minutes until golden and springy to the touch.
8. Let cool about 10 minutes, then slice and serve.

Notes

• Try sliced deli meats and cheeses as an alternative to shredded fillings.
• This is an excellent way to use leftovers; add BBQ sauce or seasonings to shredded meat if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 582Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 476mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 20g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.