New Lower Prices on hundreds of everyday items | Shop now
Meatballs in tomato sauce
You can easily double Angela Hartnett's recipe and freeze half for another meal. Serve the meatballs and sauce with pasta instead of polenta if you prefer.
Please note that while we take every care to ensure the product and recipe information displayed on our website is correct, in the event that a product is unavailable, alternatives may be displayed and/or a substitution may be given. This may affect the nutrition and allergen information, therefore if you have any allergy or intolerance, please ensure you have reviewed the product label to ensure it is suitable for you to consume.
Ingredients
6 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
2 onions, finely chopped
2 400g cans plum tomatoes
2 tsp tomato purée
1 pinch caster sugar
1 sprig fresh rosemary
6 tbsp milk
1 thick slice day-old white bread, crusts removed, roughly torn
400g beef mince (10% fat)
25g parmigiano reggiano, grated
¾ 25g pack flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 egg, beaten
plain flour, for dusting
cooked soft polenta, to serve
Method
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add ½ the finely chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add the tomatoes to the pan (crushing them with a fork to break them up), along with the garlic, tomato purée, sugar and rosemary. Lower the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce has a thick, jam-like consistency. Remove the rosemary sprig and set the sauce aside.
Meanwhile, put the milk in a bowl with the bread for a minute or so; mash with a fork. In another bowl, mix the mince, cheese, remaining onion and 2/3 of the parsley; season. Add the bread mixture, then mix in the beaten egg. To check the seasoning, fry a teaspoonful of the mixture until cooked through and taste; adjust the seasoning as necessary.
With floured hands, divide the mixture into 12 and roll into balls; set aside. In a wide, shallow pan big enough to hold the meatballs in one layer, heat the remaining 4 tbsp oil over a medium heat. Add the meatballs; cook until browned all over (about 8 minutes), turning very gently to prevent them breaking up. Remove from the pan; drain off the excess oil.
Return the meatballs to the pan; pour in the tomato sauce. Cover with parchment, foil or a tight-fitting lid; cook gently over a low heat for 25 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the heat, sprinkle with the remaining parsley and serve immediately with the polenta. The cooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months (and defrosted in the fridge) or chilled for up to 2 days. Reheat until piping hot before serving.
Nutritional
Typical values per serving when made using specific products in recipe
Energy
2,945kJ/ 703kcals
Fat
34g
Saturated Fat
9.2g
Carbohydrates
62g
Sugars
16g
Fibre
6.5g
Protein
33g
Salt
0.6g
Shop this recipe
Book a slot to see product availability
To view what's in stock at your nearest Waitrose & Partners store, please book a slot
Loading finished
0 added
0 in trolley
Quantity of La Española Extra Virgin Olive Oil in trolley 0