Budget friendly and perfect for Back To School dinners, the Italian classic of Spaghetti & Meatballs is sure to add a touch of the Med to your dinner table whilst welcoming in the cooler autumn nights. Suitable for freezing to ensure better value for money you can also switch up the mince beef for vegetarian substitutes for plant based options that pack a punch. Read on for the full recipe.

Ingredients

For The Meatballs

500g beef mince (substitute for vegetarian mince alternative)
1/2 onion, finely chopped
½ a large bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
40g parmesan, grated, plus extra to serve (optional)
40g fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg beaten with a fork
olive oil, for roasting
spaghetti, to serve (about 100g per portion)

For the meatball sauce

3 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 x 200g cans chopped tomatoes
75ml red wine (optional)
1 1/2 tbsp caster sugar
1/4 a large bunch of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
few basil leaves (optional)

Method

STEP 1 First, make the meatballs. Combine the mince, onion, parsley, parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg and lots of seasoning in a bowl. Get your hands in and mix together really well – the more you squeeze and mash the mince, the more tender the meatballs will be.
STEP 2 Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Roll the mince mixture into about 50 golf-ball-sized meatballs. Set aside any meatballs for freezing, allowing about five per portion, then spread the rest out in a large roasting tin – the meatballs will brown better if spaced out a bit.
STEP 3 Drizzle with a little oil (about 1 tsp per portion), shake to coat, then roast for 20-30 mins until browned.
STEP 4 Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic cloves and sizzle for 1 min.
STEP 5 Stir in the chopped tomatoes, red wine, if using, caster sugar, parsley and seasoning. Simmer for 15-20 mins until slightly thickened.
STEP 6 Stir in a few basil leaves, if using, spoon out any extra portions for freezing, then add the cooked meatballs to the pan to keep warm while you cook the spaghetti in a pan of boiling, salted water.
STEP 7 Spoon the sauce and meatballs over spaghetti, or stir them all together and serve with extra parmesan and a few basil leaves, if you like. Enjoy!