Womens Health

For The Guy Next Door

You're thinking Lady and the Tramp – he's thinking – "filling food I love". If he's the wholesome guy-next-door he'll appreciate this simple meal. Add: a good bottle of red wine to go with the red meat and ease those first-date jitters...




Italian Style Spaghetti Meatballs

What You Need
340 grams dry spaghetti

Meatballs
2 onions, chopped
¼ cup parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tsp Italian seasoning
500 grams ground beef
2 tbsp oil
¼ tsp salt

Sauce
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp Italian seasoning

Method
To make the meatballs, sauté onions, parsley and garlic in a couple teaspoons of oil. Cook, stirring often, for eight to 10 minutes or until the onions are soft. Remove a quarter cup of the onion mixture to a large bowl and set the remainder aside. In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, milk, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and a quarter cup of the onion mix you just made. Use your hands to stir in beef, and then form into five-centimetre balls. Warm a tablespoon of oil in a pot. Add the meatballs and cook, turning often, until browned on the outside (about five minutes). To the pot, add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juice), sugar, Italian seasoning, and the remainder of the sautéed onion mix. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Place in a serving bowl and spoon the sauce and meatballs over the top.