
Ingredients
- 170g beef mince
- 170g pork mince
- 70g ricotta
- 50g parmesan, finely grated, plus extra to serve (optional)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1/3 nutmeg, freshly grated
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 lemon, zested (reserve the lemon for squeezing over the broccoli)
- 3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 400g passata
- 1½ garlic cloves, 1 peeled and bashed, ½ crushed or grated
- 2 tsp sherry vinegar
- 125g fresh breadcrumbs (approx. 1-2 slices of bread, blitzed to crumbs)
- 1/8 tsp sea salt, to sprinkle
- 150g spaghetti
- 200g Tenderstem broccoli
Method
Step 1
Put the beef and pork mince and the ricotta in a large bowl with the parmesan, oregano, nutmeg, fennel seeds, lemon zest and a big pinch of salt. Bring together by hand until evenly mixed, then divide and shape into 8 balls. Chill for 1 hr.Step 2
Heat 2 tbsp oil over a medium heat in a large non-stick frying pan (with a lid). Fry the meatballs for about 8 mins, turning every 2 mins or so, until browned all over.Step 3
Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the passata. Using a wooden spoon, scrape any gnarly bits off the bottom of the pan, then add the 1 bashed garlic clove, vinegar and a pinch of salt. Return to the hob, cover and simmer on low for 20 mins.Step 4
Meanwhile, put 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. When hot, add the breadcrumbs; cook for 2 mins, stirring occasionally, until golden. Stir in the ½ clove crushed garlic for 1 min. Tip onto a plate lined with kitchen towel; sprinkle with sea salt.Step 5
Cook the spaghetti to pack instructions, adding the broccoli for the final 2 mins. Drain, then remove the broccoli to a plate, squeeze over the lemon to taste, drizzle with oil and scatter over the breadcrumbs.Step 6
Using tongs, remove the meatballs from the sauce and set aside. Transfer the spaghetti to the sauce using tongs; bring a little pasta cooking water with it. Stir to coat. Divide between plates, top with meatballs and extra parmesan, if using; serve with the broccoli. Freeze leftover meatballs for up to 3 months.