Serves 6 (or about 10 children)
We used to have meatballs when we were little, and now our boys love them too. Children just love slurping up the spaghetti!
Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
- 2tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
- 900g (2lb) freshly minced beef
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs, such as marjoram, or a smaller quantity of rosemary
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- For the tomato sauce:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 100g (4oz) onion, peeled and sliced
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
- 2 x 410g tins chopped tomatoes (or use 900g (2lb) ripe, peeled and chopped tomatoes
- Salt, sugar and freshly ground black pepper
- To serve:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 150g (5o) mozzarella, grated
- 450g (1lb) spaghetti
Method
- To make the meatballs, heat the olive oil in a heavy, stainless-steel saucepan over a gentle heat and add the onion and garlic. Cover and sweat for 4 minutes, until soft and a little golden, then allow to cool.
- In a bowl, mix the minced beef with the cold sweated onion and garlic, then add the herbs and the beaten egg. Season the mixture to taste. Fry a tiny bit to check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. Divide the mixture into about 24 round balls and place in a dish. Cover the meatballs and refrigerate until required.
- Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce. Heat the oil in a stainless-steel saucepan. Add the sliced onion and crushed garlic, toss until coated, cover and sweat over
- a gentle heat until soft and a tiny bit golden. Add the tomatoes, mix and season with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch of sugar. Gently simmer, uncovered, for approximately 30 minutes or until softened.
- Heat up a frying pan over a medium heat with about 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the meatballs for about 10 minutes. When they are done, transfer into a dish, add the tomato sauce and sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Place under a preheated grill to let the cheese melt.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a pan of boiling water. Drain and serve on individual plates with the meatballs piled on top.