Food Love: Chicken Meatballs and Pasta

Let's face it - Spaghetti and Meatballs is the bomb. I don't have children, but if I did this would definitely be a 'all hands in' affair. The meatballs themselves can be prepared then frozen and are an inexpensive way to feed a lot of people at once. I've adapted the recipe and substituted minced beef for chicken. You could even do a chicken/ pork mince combo - pork mince can be so cheap.

I STRONGLY encourage that you get kids involved in creating this dish - hot stove aside, it's a great way for kids to build an appreciation of how food gets in their bellies. And it's fun to ooze the meatball mix through your fingers (who said playing with your food was a bad thing?)

PS. This recipe is garlic heavy. Adjust to taste

Enjoy!

Chicken Meatballs and Pasta

Makes roughly 24 Meatballs

Serves 4

Meatballs

500g chicken mince

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 brown onion, finely chopped

1 cup breadcrumbs

1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley (or basil)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (extra 1/2 cup to serve)

1 egg

pinch nutmeg

pinch salt

pinch black pepper

2 tbs cup olive oil

Tomato Sauce

500ml jar tomato passata (next to the tinned tomatoes at the supermarket)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Method

1. In a mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients

2. Using clean hands, mix together until well combined

3. Roll mixture into ping ping sized balls until mixture is finished

4. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy based pan (stewing pot preferably)

5. Fry meatballs for 30 seconds on each side until browned, but not cooked all the way through

6. Continue in batches and remove meatballs from pan, set aside

7. Add 1 tbs of oil to pan

8. Add garlic, toss for 1 minute

9. Add tomato passata, bring to a simmer

10. Add remaining olive oil, sugar, salt and pepper and bring to a low simmer for 10 mins. 

11. Add meatballs back to sauce. Continue to simmer for 30 minutes

12. Cook desired pasta al dente

13. Serve in pasta bowls, add cheese

14. BON APPETITE

Getting ready for some chopping and grating. Adults do this part

Dry ingredients in one bowl

Wet ingredients in another bowl

The fun part - mix together! All hands in!

That's a nice meatball

Heat that pan

Get your sauce on!

I was so obsessed with eating that I forgot to take a snap of my serving! Take my word for it, no picture could be as good as it actually tasted.

Let us know how you go!

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