BEST ITALIAN MEATBALL RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the meatballs, cut the top off the onion, peel off the skin and the first two layers (this gets rid of any tough bits). Grate the onion on the coarse side of a box grater then squeeze out the excess juice. Measure 3 tbsp of the squeezed onion into a bowl.
• Add the rest of the ingredients with a good grind of black pepper, then use clean hands to mix everything together really well. Form into 24 meatballs and chill for at least 20 minutes or until you want to cook them.
• Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large, deep, lidded frying pan or shallow casserole. Add the meatballs in batches and cook, turning, until browned all over. Once browned, scoop out onto a plate.
• To make the sauce, add the garlic to the same pan with a little more oil, if needed, and gently sizzle for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the chilli flakes and cook for 1 minute, then add the tomatoes, vinegar and sugar. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened, then add the meatballs with the olives and capers. Stir and simmer with a lid on for another 20 minutes then season and stir in half the basil.
• Heat the grill to medium. Dot pieces of the mozzarella all over the pan then slide under the grill and cook until the cheese has melted. Scatter over extra basil to finish, and serve with rigatoni and crusty bread.

Steps:

• 1. Wrap the crackers in a tea towel and smash up until fine, breaking up any big bits with your hands, then tip into a large bowl.
  2. Pick and finely chop the rosemary, then add to the bowl with the mustard, minced meat and oregano.
  3. Crack the egg into the bowl, then add a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  4. With clean hands, scrunch and mix everything up well. Divide into 4 large and balls, then with wet hands divide each ball into 6 and roll into little meatballs – you should end up with 24.
  5. Place the meatballs onto a plate, drizzle with oil and jiggle about to coat, then cover and place in the fridge until needed – this will help to firm them up.
  6. Pick the basil leaves, keeping any smaller ones to one side for later. Peel and finely chop the onion and the garlic, and trim and finely slice or crumble the chilli.
  7. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the onion and cook for 7 minutes, or until softened and lightly golden.
  8. Add the garlic and chilli, and as soon as they start to get some colour add the large basil leaves.
  9. Tip in the the tomatoes, breaking them up with the back of a spoon, then add the balsamic vinegar, and season to taste. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer until needed, stirring regularly.
  10. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in another large frying pan over a medium heat, add the meatballs and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through, turning regularly To check if they’re cooked, cut one opening – there should be no sign of pink.
  11. Once cooked, add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer while you cook the pasta.
  12. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving a mugful of cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan.
  13. Spoon half the tomato sauce over the pasta and toss together, adding a little splash of reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed
  14. Transfer to a large platter or divide between bowls, serving the remaining sauce and meatballs on top. Add a fine grating of Parmesan and scatter over the reserved basil, then tuck in.