Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
These tasty meatballs in tomato sauce are packed with veg, rice, a delightful tomato sauce, and a yummy flavour! Great for meal prep or family dinners.
Servings: 5
Calories: 615kcal
Cost: £1.51
Ingredients
- 1 egg (£1.50/6)=(£0.25)
- 500 g pork mince (£2.65)
- 80 g hard cheese/parmesan, finely grated (£1.74/2)=(£0.87)
- 350 g white rice (£0.52)
- 1 onion, finely diced (£0.15)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (£0.39)
- 3 tbsp tbsp tomato puree (£0.65/2)=(£0.33)
- 1000 g (2 cartons) of passata (£0.60x2)=(£1.20)
- Handful of fresh thyme sprigs (£0.55)
- 150 g kale, to serve as side (£0.65)
- Optional fresh basil to serve
Cupboard Essentials
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt & Pepper
- 400 ml beef stock
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the pork mince, half of the hard cheese/parmesan, 1 egg, oregano and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Mix to thoroughly combine using your hands.
- Form into 20 medium sized meatballs and place on a flour dusted baking tray.
- To a large non-stick frying pan, add the rapeseed oil and increase the heat to high. Once the pan is hot, add the meatballs floured side down, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the pan (you may have to fry in two batches).
- Leave to fry for 4 minutes, or until they achieve nice browning, then rotate and cook for a further 2 minutes. Set the meatballs aside.
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of stock and add the onion. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and fry for 4 minutes. Then add the tomato puree and garlic, frying for a further 2 minutes.
- Pour the passata, beef stock, an extra pinch of oregano and the fresh thyme into the pan. Add the meatballs back into the pan at this stage. Cover with a lid to cook for 10 minutes, then remove the lid and cook for a further 10 minutes.
- During this time, cook your rice according to packet instructions and steam the kale over your rice.
- When the sauce has thickened nicely, remove the thyme sprigs and taste to adjust the seasoning. Top with fresh basil and the reserved hard cheese/ parmesan. Serve up with a side of rice & kale and enjoy!
Notes
- Enhance meatball texture by adding flour to the baking sheet for a crispy coating during browning.
- Ensure flavour retention and prevent meatball breakage by searing them first, enhancing juiciness and taste.
- Prior to serving, taste the tomato sauce and make adjustments for personalised flavor, such as adding salt or pepper as needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 615kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 15g