Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs, yesterday evening and felt like the coldest November evening yet. After a long day at work, I wasn’t feeling my best, but somehow, the moment I stepped into the warmth of my kitchen, my energy returned. Before I knew it, I was rolling up my sleeves, cooking this hearty spaghetti and meatball dinner—and even baking biscuits for dessert!

It was exactly the kind of meal that comforts the soul on a chilly night. Here’s how I made it:

Meatballs

• 500g beef mince

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 1 slice of bread, soaked in water & squeezed dry

• 1 egg

• 15g chopped parsley

• 1 tsp cumin

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

Mix everything, shape into 30g meatballs, and sear in 3 tbsp olive oil until browned all over. Place in an oven tray.

Potatoes

In the same pan with the oil & juices from the meatballs, fry 3 small potatoes (cut into chunks) turning often until golden on all sides. Add them to the dish with the meatballs. Bake at 200°C (fan) for 30 minutes.

Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 1 tin peeled plum tomatoes

• 1/4 tablespoon pul biber

• 3 springs of basil

• 250gr spaghetti

1. Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a pan and cook 2 minced garlic cloves until golden.

2. Add ¼ tsp pul biber and 1 tin of peeled plum tomatoes, squashing the tomatoes with your hands as you add them.

3. Fill the tin halfway with water, add to the pan, and stir in ½ tsp salt. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Turn off the hear and add 3 sprigs of basil, then set aside.

Cook spaghetti according to the package, reserving ½ cup pasta water. Toss the drained spaghetti in the tomato sauce, remove the basil, and add pasta water as needed to coat the pasta.

Serve hot with meatballs straight from the oven!

This dish was everything I needed tonight: simple, warming, and oh-so-satisfying. Let me know if you try it!