Spaghetti and Meatballs

Mince is a family friendly meat that’s usually well priced.  If possible, it is best to buy prime or premium mince as this is less fatty.  This is one recipe where I haven’t crammed a whole heap of vegetables into it and have tried to keep it pretty traditional.  

For this meal, you’ll need to do some steamed veges on the side or you could try serving with a green salad.  

Makes about 16 meatballs.  

Ingredients

Meatballs

½ onion, finely diced

3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

Handful of rosemary, thyme and parsley, chopped

500g beef mince

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon paprika

Pinch of chilli flakes

1 egg

1 cup of breadcrumbs

Salt and pepper

Sauce

½ onion, finely diced

3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup beef stock

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 can of tomato pasta sauce or tin of tomatoes

Salt and pepper

Spaghetti

Parmesan cheese to serve (optional)

Method

For the meatballs, sauté the onion and garlic in a fry pan (heated over a medium- high heat with oil) for a few minutes.  Add the chopped herbs and stir.  

Add the onion, garlic and herbs to a bowl with the rest of the meatball ingredients and mix together.  With clean hands, roll the mixture into evenly shaped balls (~50g each).

Put in the fridge to chill (this helps to hold their shape when cooked).  

For the sauce, sauté the onion and garlic for a few minutes in a fry pan over a medium-high heat with oil (you can use the same pan you used previously.  Add the tomato paste and cook with the onion and garlic for a few minutes.  Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and simmer over a low heat.  

In a separate frying pan heat oil over a medium heat and cook the meat balls for about 8 minutes and then transfer to the sauce and finish cooking, (about 10 minutes).  

Cook the spaghetti as per the packet instructions until al dente.  Once cooked, drain.  

Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti and serve with some steamed vegetables or salad on the side.