Freshly Made Beef Meatballs

Sep 05, 2022 | Blog

Ready in: 30mins

Serves: 4 people

For the Meatballs: 

  • 400g lean beef mince (5% fat) 
  • 2 red onions  
  • 2 tsp French mustard  
  • 1 heaped tsp dried mixed herbs 
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika 
  • For the red pepper and tomato sauce: 
  • 4 tbsp olive oil 
  • 3 red onions 
  • 6 garlic cloves (or lazy garlic) 
  • 450g passata 
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika 
  • 4 large red peppers 
  • 4 fresh tomatoes 
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 
  • Salt and pepper 
  • Chop the 2 red onions for the meatballs
  • Finely chop the 3 red onions for the sauce
  • Finely chop the garlic (or use lazy garlic!)
  • Thinly slice the 4 large red peppers
  • Chop the 4 fresh tomatoes
  • Be sure to wash your hands before AND after handling raw meat!
  • Pre-heat the oven to 200C (180C fan). Brush a baking tray with olive oil to grease.
  • Wash your hands and then, in a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and mix using your hands.
  • Shape the mixture into about 25 small, compact meatballs. Place the meatballs on the baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes, until lightly browned.
  • Wash your hands again and then it’s time to make the sauce. In a large frying pan, gently heat the olive oil, add the onions and fry for 2-3 minutes until they have softened.
  • Add the garlic, put the lid on the frying pan and continue to fry over a gentle heat for 5 minutes.
  • Add the passata to the pan, season with salt and pepper and then add the paprika and warm through gently for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the peppers, tomatoes, and rosemary, stir and then cover the pan and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
  • Add the meatballs to the pan and cook for 15 minutes over a very low heat. Turn off the heat and leave for 10 minutes for the flavours to blend.
  • Serve hot with rice or pasta or however you take your meatballs! Enjoy!