Lovely soft meatballs or meat bombs, as children have been known to call them, are an easy to make, nutritious mid-week special that have hidden vegetables that soak up the flavour of the sauce. Great for freezing and serving with wholemeal spaghetti.
Makes approximately 4-6 servings
Preparation time is approximately 25 minutes
Cooking time is approximately 30-35 minutes
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1/2 white onion, very finely chopped
1 medium carrot, grated
450g turkey thigh mince
1 egg, beaten
50g breadcrumbs (gluten free if necessary)
2 tablespoons of plain flour (gluten free if necessary)
2 teaspoons of dried oregano
Salt & pepper
Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 white onion, finely chopped or grated
1 celery stalk, finely chopped or grated
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 handful of fresh spinach, roughly chopped
700ml passata sauce
250ml water
1 chicken stock cube (gluten free if necessary)
1/2 tsp dried mixed herbs
How to make Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Heat the oil in large saucepan and add the onions (for the sauce), celery and garlic and cook at low temperature, stirring occasionally, for 10 mins.
Add oregano, spinach, passata, stock cube and water and bring to the boil before turning heat down to a simmer (while you get the kids to help make the meatballs). Season to taste.
Put all meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix together gently with a wooden spoon or your hands. Add more flour if too sticky.
Roll mixture into balls approx 1 tablespoon in size. Roll about 25 balls.
Heat oil in frying pan and gently brown outside of meatballs. Add them to the tomato sauce pan, bring to the boil then gently simmer for 30 mins.
To serve: With spaghetti, salad and a shave of parmesan if desired.
HINTS & TIPS
This recipe is great for batch cooking!
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