Spanish Meatballs with Pasta

Most of us love meatballs, but lamb ones are to die for!  This recipe is great to make when you have a little more time at the weekend.  The meatballs contain beef chorizo and grated Parmesan.  The tomato sauce is very moreish too.   Recipe supplied by Ali Imdad in association with Simply Beef and Lamb.

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 450g lean lamb mince
  • 50g beef chorizo, chopped
  • 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
  • 50g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons rapeseed or olive oil
  • For the Sauce:
  • 2 onions, peeled and chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
  • 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato purée
  • Small bunch fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 300ml good, hot vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 400g cooked pasta shapes of your choice
  • Parmesan shavings, to garnish

Method

  1. To make the meatballs put all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well.
  2. Using damp hands shape the mix into 16-golf-sized meatballs.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large non-stick pan and cook the meatballs for 3-4 minutes until brown all over.
  4. Transfer the meatballs to a large plate and set aside.In the same pan cook the onions and garlic for 5 minutes on a low heat until soft. Add the chopped tomatoes, puree, thyme, bay leaf and the stock. Stir gently, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.  After 20 minutes, add in the meatballs and cook uncovered for a further 20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
  5. Once the meatballs are cooked, stir through the capers and pasta to heat through. Serve with an optional side of foccacia bread and a green salad.