Spaghetti and Homemade Meatballs

Here's our take on a dinnertime favourite for kids and adults alike, spaghetti with nice juicy homemade meatballs, in a quick and easy, completely homemade tomato sauce!

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 400g beef mince

• ½ onion, grated

• ½ bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped

• 50g parmesan cheese, grated

• 100g parmesan cheese

• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• 3 tbsp panko bread crumbs

• 1 tbsp milk or just enough to cover bread crumbs

• plain flour for dusting

• sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

For the Pasta and Sauce

• 200g of spaghetti (or other long pasta)

• 2 400g tins of chopped tomatoes

• olive oil

• 1 onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp Italian herbs

• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup

• fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

• salt & pepper to taste

• Parmesan cheese for garnish

Method

For the Meatballs

1. Pour your breadcrumbs into a small bowl, and soak them fully in milk.

2. Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and mix well. Season the mix with salt and pepper.

3. When everything is mixed together, shape the mince into small ping-pong sized balls.

4. Lightly coat the meatballs in the flour, taking care to cover the entire ball.

5. Heat olive oil in your non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat.

6. Fry the meatballs in the hot olive oil until golden.

7. Remove the balls when they’re properly cooked, and sit them on a kitchen towel to soak up excess oil.

For the Pasta and Sauce

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat, season well with salt.

2. Once boiling add the spaghetti and cook as per the packet's instructions.

3. Carefully drained once cook and refresh under cold water to stop the cooking process.

4. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.

5. In a non-stick frying pan, sauté the onion and the garlic for 3 minutes or till fragrant and translucent.

6. Add the 2 tins of tomatoes, Italian herbs, ketchup and bring to a simmer.

7. Use a wooden spoon to break down the tomatoes, add salt and pepper to taste.

8. Simmer for 20 minutes before adding your cheese meatballs, then simmer for a further 10 minutes before adding the freshly chopped basil.

9. Place spaghetti in a pasta bowl, spoon meatballs and sauce on top.

10. Garnish with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese, and enjoy your meal!