Spicy Tomato Meatballs

Name: Spicy Tomato Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: Meatballs:; 500g beef or chicken mince; 1½ tsp Authentic Lahori All Purpose Mix; 40g breadcrumbs; 1 egg; 30g vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese, grated; 2 tbsp chopped parsley; Sauce:; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, finely diced; 2 garlic cloves; 700ml passata; ½ tsp chilli flakes; 1 tsp dried oregano; Fresh basil

The mix belongs in the meat, not the sauce, so the tomato stays recognisably Italian. Avoid overmixing the mince.

Prep

20 mins

Cook

35 mins

Total

55 mins

Serves

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Kitchen roadmap

Before you cook

The details that make or break this dish, mapped to the exact step where they matter.

Avoid thisMix gently
Make sureShape 16 even meatballs
Watch forBrown, do not cook through
Food safetyKeep the simmer gentle

Ingredients

Meatballs
Sauce

Cooking this? You will need the mix.Add to basket

Method

9 steps

Gently combine the meatball ingredients. Avoid overmixing.
Avoid this
Mix gently
Stop as soon as the ingredients are evenly distributed. Working the mince too firmly makes the meatballs dense.
Form 16 meatballs and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Make sure
Shape 16 even meatballs
Use light hands and keep them the same size so they brown evenly and finish together in the sauce.
Brown them in the olive oil for 5–6 minutes, then remove.
Watch for
Brown, do not cook through
Colour the outside in the oil, then remove them. The centres finish gently after they return to the tomato sauce.
Cook the onion in the same pan until soft.
Add the garlic, chilli and oregano.
Cook for 30 seconds.
Add the passata and simmer for five minutes.
Return the meatballs, cover and simmer gently for 15–20 minutes.
Food safety
Keep the simmer gentle
A calm bubble cooks the centres through without toughening the meat or breaking the meatballs apart.
Check they are cooked through.
Finish with basil and the grated cheese, and serve with spaghetti or crusty bread.

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Make it with the Authentic Lahori mix

One blend for karahi, curries, marinades, chips and everyday cooking.

Shop the Mix