Smoky pork meatballs with courgetti
Serves: 4
Prep time: 25 minsTotal time: 
Recipe photograph by Mike English
Smoky pork meatballs with courgetti
Adding a little pasta to courgetti tricks your mind into feeling you're eating spaghetti
Serves: 4
Prep time: 25 minsTotal time: 
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Nutritional information (per serving)
Calories
538Kcal
Fat
19gr
Saturates
7gr
Carbs
39gr
Sugars
17gr
Fibre
6gr
Protein
48gr
Salt
0.7gr
Tamsin Burnett-Hall
Tamsin learned the tricks of the trade from cookery legend Delia Smith. A trusted recipe writer for the magazine for over 25 years, in her home kitchen, Tamsin creates fuss-free flavour-packed food for friends and family, with baking being her ultimate form of comfort cooking
Tamsin Burnett-Hall
Tamsin learned the tricks of the trade from cookery legend Delia Smith. A trusted recipe writer for the magazine for over 25 years, in her home kitchen, Tamsin creates fuss-free flavour-packed food for friends and family, with baking being her ultimate form of comfort cooking
Ingredients
- 50g natural dried breadcrumbs
- 4 tbsp skimmed milk
- 1 medium egg, beaten
- 1 medium onion, grated
- 15g Parmesan, grated
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 x 500g pack 10% fat pork mince
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the sauce
- 2 medium onions, finely sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 300ml chicken stock
- 1 tsp sugar (any kind)
- ½ x 450g jar roasted peppers, drained and sliced
To serve
- 600g courgettes, spiralised (or buy ready-prepared)
- 60g capellini (angel hair pasta), optional
- 15g Parmesan, finely grated, to serve (optional)
Step by step
Get ahead
The meatballs and sauce keep for up to 3 days in the fridge, or can be frozen.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C, fan 200°C, gas 7. Put the breadcrumbs in a bowl with the milk, egg, onion, Parmesan, paprika, sage and seasoning. Mix well, then combine with the pork mince. Shape into 28-30 small meatballs.
- Gently toss the meatballs with the oil to coat lightly, then spread out on a large baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes to brown, turning them after 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, soften the onions in the oil in a casserole for 10 minutes, adding a pinch of salt and stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and smoked paprika and cook for a few minutes until aromatic. Add the chopped tomatoes, chicken stock and sugar. Season, bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, covered.
- Add the browned meatballs and roasted peppers and simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered, allowing the sauce to thicken.
- Put the courgetti in a microwaveable bowl and cover. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stirring halfway, or until just starting to wilt. Meanwhile, cook the pasta, if using, in salted boiling water for 3 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the courgetti and pasta, and mix together. Divide between 4 bowls and top with the meatballs and sauce. Serve with a little Parmesan on top, if you like.
