When I was growing up, we never ate pasta. I didn't even try lasagna until my first proper boyfriend took me out for dinner.
Babe, try the creole prawns.
No thanks, I'm happy with this....
Now, happily married to a man that embraces his tiny trickle of Italian heritage, we love pasta in this house. I cannot imagine any kid growing up without spag bol, and marvel that I did. I love that it is so filling, and so versatile. I don't love the carb loading aspect, but that is a portion control issue, surely? And a whole other post.
This is my basic spaghetti and meatballs recipe, although in true home cooking style, it is super versatile.
Meatballs
How do you cook meatballs? Any meatball tips to spare?
xx
Linking to IBOT today!
Babe, try the creole prawns.
No thanks, I'm happy with this....
Now, happily married to a man that embraces his tiny trickle of Italian heritage, we love pasta in this house. I cannot imagine any kid growing up without spag bol, and marvel that I did. I love that it is so filling, and so versatile. I don't love the carb loading aspect, but that is a portion control issue, surely? And a whole other post.
This is my basic spaghetti and meatballs recipe, although in true home cooking style, it is super versatile.
Meatballs
- 500g mince. Whatever mince you like. I like to use turkey sometimes, although lamb or beef are good.
- about a cup of breadcrumbs. I prefer fresh, although dried is OK. The meatballs above needed to be cooked when there where no breadcrumbs in the house, so I used half a cup of oatmeal, and this worked very well.
- Salt and pepper.
- Chopped parsley, or shallots, or finely chopped spinach, or grated carrot...
- An egg, if you like. Don't be scared to leave this out, One of my children is allergic/intolerant to eggs so I just don't use them. It can help to bind the meatballs if you have a lot of breadcrumbs and veggies in the mix.
Mix everything by hand, put in the fridge for a moment.
Sauce
- Saute a large chopped onion in a little olive oil until soft.
- add 2 regular tins of chopped tomatoes.
- add a glass of wine if you can spare it.
- a few cloves of garlic, crushed, are nice as well.
Set to simmer, get the meatball mix out of the fridge.
Roll the meatball mixture into meatballs, about the size of a large olive. Plop them into the sauce as they are done. Wet hands will stop the mixture sticking to you.
Put the lid on, and turn the heat to low.
Spaghetti
I'm not telling you how to cook spaghetti! I will say that I add salt to the water, and this makes all the difference.
Give the meatballs a gentle stir, put the lid back on, and turn the heat off. By the time the pasta is cooked, the meatballs will be too.
Serve to your hungry family, and don't forget to instagram it!
xx
Linking to IBOT today!
nom nom nom.. I love meatballs!! On top of spaghetti... all covered in cheese.... this song is now going to be in my head all day! Pity I had spag bol lastnight... I might find some chicken mince for tonight!
ReplyDeleteNow that song is going to be in MY head all day! ....I first lost my meatballllllll, when somebody sneeeeeezed!
ReplyDeletexx
Yum! I make spaghetti bog often, but rarely with meatballs. I think I'll give your recipe a try- little people might just eat meatballs :)
ReplyDeleteMy little ones love them, especially all covered in cheese! I prefer some rocket or parsley..Let me know how you go!
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YUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM! adding this to our very tired meal plan!
ReplyDeleteHey Loz, let me know how you go! I would love to see your meal plan as well.
Deletexx
ReplyDeleteI love, love pasta. I do meatballs, but as far tips or wisdom to impart all my recipes change in the fly all the time, it's a pain the arse to those who try something I make and love it because I don't do things by exacts, I do everything by feel and taste and what I have on hand.
That is pretty much how I cook as well Trudie! I feel very constrained by exacts.Kind of like - It's my kitchen, don't boss me around!
Deletexx
Oh yum, it's been ages since we've had spaghetti with meatballs... It's been ages since we've had pasta actually, totally going to give this recipe to hubby for his one cooking night - it looks simple enough for him to do and unlike the time he tried to make creamy pasta, at least a tomato sauce can't curdle.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep my husband out of the kitchen as well. It's just for the best!
Deletexx
I like it when the meatballs are cooked in the sauce and turn out nice of soft. As opposed to browning them in the frypan first.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to make my own pasta sauce more and more. The kids are stuck on the jarred ones still but soon I hope to make some headway.
I love meatballs like that too. Hard ones in a fry pan need a fancy toothpick so they can be handed around at a party (that my parents threw back in the '70's)
Deletexx
That looks awesome. I make meatballs etc for the fam, but I have no idea what it tastes like (being vego). Rachel x
ReplyDeleteSometimes I make ricotta spinach dumplings in the same sauce I used for the meatballs, which I think you may like. I know you are probably not interested in coming over to the dark side.
Deletexx
That turned out nicely :) My problem is kids and I like pasta, but my Mr is Mr Low Carb and could live on salad + protein every day. It gives me much grief at dinner times. Why can't things just be simple and everyone eat the same? #teamIBOT
ReplyDeleteI very much feel your pain. The teenager is a vegetarian, one boy loves mushrooms and onions but is allergic to egg, the other boy loves eggs and hates mushrooms and onions. I would like to be low carb but it seems too difficult with the rest of the family to consider. Generally I make lots of different dishes and just put them on the table, but sometimes you just want a bowl of pasta, you know?
Deletexx
I love pasta! Could eat it every night if it wasn't so full or carbs! I've never made spaghetti with meatballs though, so I'll have to give this a go.
ReplyDeleteI know, if only they made carb free pasta!
Deletexx