Veal Meatballs with Spaghetti and Hidden Mediterranean Vegetable Sauce

3 serving

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 50 mins

Serves: 3

Meatballs are always popular with children and this veal meatballs recipe is a real winner because of their mild flavour. The hidden Mediterranean vegetable sauce is a great way to get children to eat vegetables that, if serving individually to them, they would not dream of eating! The quantities listed here make a large batch of sauce as it is more practical to roast this quantity of vegetables, but the leftover sauce freezes beautifully.

Share recipe

Share Pin it Print

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

360g Veal meatballs
1 red pepper , de-seeded and cut into chunks
2 courgettes , cut into chunky rounds
1 small aubergine , cut into chunks
3 carrots , peeled and cut into rounds
2 red onions , cut into chunks
4 tbsp olive oil
2 cans plum tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato puree

Method

Step 1

For the meatballs, heat the olive oil in a shallow pan and fry the meatballs at a high temperature until nicely browned all over the surface, then reduce the temperature for a further 5-6 minutes, turning frequently to ensure even cooking.

Step 2

Once the meatballs are thoroughly cooked through to the centre, remove onto a plate, loosely cover with foil and allow to rest.

Step 3

To cook the hidden vegetable sauce, preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6.

Step 4

Place the red pepper, courgette, aubergine, carrot and red onion in a large, deep roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil and toss well with your hands so all the vegetables are coated.

Step 5

Roast for 30 minutes, toss vegetables and then roast for a further 10 minutes.

Step 6

Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Step 7

Pour the cooled vegetables into a bowl.

Step 8

Add the tinned tomatoes and tomato puree and blend to a smooth consistency with a hand blender (or a food processor).

Step 9

To serve, cook the spaghetti to pack instructions. Reheat the hidden Mediterranean sauce. Spoon the pasta into bowls, placing 3-4 meatballs on top then spoon over the vegetable sauce and serve immediately.