Italian Meatballs with Linguine & Tomato Sauce Recipe

Warm the olive oil in a thick-based pan, add the chopped onion and slowly sweat without colouring.

After a few minutes add the garlic, dried chilli flakes and seasoning and cook for another 5 minutes.

Next add the tinned tomatoes and bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer gently. While the tomato sauce is reducing down, assemble the meatballs.

Place all the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan and parsley into a large bowl and, using your hands, mix thoroughly. (You could just use beef mince if you prefer.)

Add the onion, olive oil, egg yolk and a generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix again.

Using clean hands divide the meatball mixture into small pieces and roll into balls. The size of a table-tennis ball is a good guide.

When you have all your meatballs ready, heat a medium-sized frying pan.

Add the olive oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown. You may need more oil as the meatballs absorb the oil during cooking.

When the meatballs are all coloured, add them to the tomato sauce and cook for roughly 15-20 minutes. Do ensure the meatballs are properly cooked.

Finally, check for seasoning and serve with olive oil, linguine or spaghetti and freshly shaved Parmesan, a couple of grinds of pepper and chopped basil