Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce with Spaghetti

If my wife see's me take minced beef come out of the freezer, the first thing she asks is are we having meatballs, and once cooked, she counts how many go on each plate to make sure we have an equal amount.

The finished meal

Cost - Approx £1.30p per person

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 425g of beef mince meat
• 1 egg
• 1 TSP of Dried Basil
• 1 TSP of ground black pepper
• 1 TSP  of Marjoram
• 1 TSP of Onion Granules
• 1 TSP of Garlic Powder
• 4 TBLSP of breadcrumbs
• 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 4 Cloves of garlic - minced
• 150g of spaghetti
• 1 tsp of ground black pepper
• 2 tsp of Parsley

Method for the meatball:

• Combine the first 8 ingredients ingredients in a large bowl and with your hand mix well
• Take a piece of the mix and roll it in the palm of your hands to form small balls
• Place balls on a plate and set aside
• When ready to cook, add some oil to a frying pan, and place the meatballs into the pan, and cook, turning regularly

Method for the sauce:

• In a pan add the tomatoes, pepper, garlic and Parsley
• Bring to the boil and on a low to medium heat reduce, stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes
• Place in a blend and blend smooth
• Set aside

Method for Spaghetti:

• Cook spaghetti as per pack instructions

To assemble the meal:

• Heat the tomato sauce
• Drain the pasta and add the tomato sauce to the pan of Spaghetti
• Mix well
• Turn onto plates
• Add meatballs
• Serve with pecorino/Parmesan cheese

The prepared meatballs

Th blended tomato sauce

The meatballs cooking

The finished meal

Grilled Chicken Breast with pecorino cheese with spicy pasta

This is the simplest of all meals , that is made from store cupboard ingredients
Cost: Approx - £1.40p
Serves two

Ingredients:

2 Chicken breasts - flattened
25g of pecorino or parmesan cheese finely grated
390g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 tsp of pepper
1 tsp of dried basil
2 cloves of Garlic finely chopped
150g of dried pasta

Method:

• Flatten the chicken between 2 sheets of cling film with a rolling pin and season with salt and pepper

The flattened Chicken Breasts

• In a pan combine the tomatoes, pepper, basil and garlic and put on a high heat to bring to the boil with the lid of, once boiling reduce heat and cook until reduced - you are looking to get rid of most of the water - so you are left with a rich like paste
• Put the tomatoes into a blender and blend until smooth - you could miss this step, you jest end up with a chunkier sauce

The Finished Sauce

• Pre-heat the grill, and put the seasoned chicken onto the grill rack, turn occasionally until cooked
• Meanwhile cook the pasta according to the packet instructions
• When the chicken is cooked, put the cheese on top and return to the oven, until melted and bubbling
• Just before serving add the sauce to the pasta and stir in

Serve and enjoy...


The finished meal