Crusty Meatball Pasta Low Fat Hi Energy Food

SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
• Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.
• Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat. Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion. Saute 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft. Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
• Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese. Turn meatballs in remaining sauce. Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese. Serve with bread or garlic bread (and some good chianti!)

MELTING MEATBALL MACARONI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix the pork and beef mince with the fennel seeds, chilli, 1 tsp oregano and some seasoning in a large bowl until combined. Divide and shape into 18 meatballs with a nugget or two of taleggio in the middle (save some for the top), then chill for 10 mins.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan (use a flameproof casserole dish if you can - it'll save on washing up). Add the onion and a pinch of salt and sizzle until softened (about 8 mins). Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 min more, then add the tomato purée, wine, tomatoes, passata, bay leaves, sugar, the remaining oregano and lots of seasoning, then cover with a lid and simmer for 20 mins. Meanwhile, arrange the meatballs on a baking tray lined with foil, drizzle with the remaining oil and bake for 10 mins.
• Cook the pasta in a pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions, then drain, reserving some water. If the pan isn't ovenproof, tip the sauce into a casserole dish. Stir the pasta into the sauce, along with the liquid from the meatballs and some pasta water if it needs thinning. Turn the grill to a medium-high setting.
• Nestle the meatballs into the pasta, so that they poke out the top. Scatter the remaining taleggio over the top and grill for 5-10 mins until the cheese and meatballs are golden. Serve with crusty bread, if you like.

MEATBALL AND PASTA SOUP

Steps:

• Mix together in a bowl the ground beef, sausage, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, milk, egg, parsley, garlic, pepper, and onion. Roll into small meatballs, about 1 to 2 teaspoons each. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs in batches and drain on paper towels, wiping out pan between batches and adding more oil as needed.
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onion and cook until slightly softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the meatballs, stock, tomato paste, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes. Skim fat from surface.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Cover and set aside.