This recipe not going to win any awards for creativity and its certainly not a gourmet creation but using meatballs in a bake makes a change from spaghetti bolognese and lasagne. Jarred roasted red peppers are a staple in my cupboards, they are just so versatile! This dish is tasty, filling and doesn’t cost too much to pull together.
Ingredients (serves 4):
- 500g lean beef mince
- 300g pasta (I used penne but any shapes would work)
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp dried herbs (I used parsley & rosemary but thyme, oregano or mixed herbs work well too)
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes
- 2 large roasted red peppers – jarred work a treat!
- Approx 70g dried breadcrumbs
- 1 beef stock cube or stock pot
- Olive oil
- Salt & Pepper to season
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan/gas mark 4
- Par boil the pasta so that its just undercooked, drain and leave to one side.
- Mix the egg, herbs, half the breadcrumbs and beef and form into meatballs. I made big ones but you can make up to 20 small or 10 large. Or, if you can’t count, 9 like I did on this occasion! Doh!
- Fry the meatballs for 10 mins or until almost cooked through and well browned. You should only turn them occasionally, too much handling and they will start to fall apart!
- For the last 2 mins, add the crushed garlic to the pan.
- Add the red pepper, tinned toms and sprinkle one beef stock cube (or use a stock pot). Using a small spoon, gently stir the mixture taking care not to break up the meatballs.
- Allow it to come up to the boil and then switch off.
- Mix in the pasta (again being gentle) and pour it all into an oven proof dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining breadcrumbs on-top and bake for 20 mins. If you’re feeling indulgent, you can also add grated mature cheddar or sliced mozzarella!
Serve with a green salad… or again, if you’re feeling naughty, garlic bread. I sprinkled with fresh parsley just before putting it into the oven. Also, you could cook this ahead and then freeze it for a busy night. Just defrost over night and slowly reheat on a low light in the oven until hot all the way through.
Its all about the blog love this month as I’ve entered this recipe into two foodie challenges! Both have a frugal but tasty theme. CreditCrunchMunch is the brain child of Fuss Free Flavours and Fab Food 4 All and this month is hosted by moi. Its all about cheaper cuts, left overs and frugal cooking.
This is also my first ever entry into Family Foodies, created and run by Bangers & Mash and Eat your Veg. This month hosted by Bangers & Mash – although my family consists of just myself, the hubby and two cats, I think this would be perfect for feeding kids. The theme this month is ‘cheap and cheerful’ and I think this recipe fits perfectly – its freezable, can be made in batches and uses mince, breadcrumbs, tinned toms – all cheap but versatile ingredients!
Oh yes indeed. My family (and probably the cat too if it got the chance for a look in) would absolutely love these meatballs. Great first entry for Family Foodies – thank you so much for taking part!
I love meatballs with pasta – definitely a great family recipe.
I read this yesterday, went home and baked a big pasta bake because it made me so hungry that's all i could think about! Great post 🙂
Our cats would DEFINITELY eat it if they could.. sadly they are more like dogs than cats when it comes to food! Happy to be taking part 🙂
Me too! Thanks Corina.
Teeheee thanks Emma! Sometimes its all you want! Comfort food 🙂