MEATBALLS AND PASTA RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
• Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.
• Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat. Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion. Saute 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft. Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
• Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese. Turn meatballs in remaining sauce. Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese. Serve with bread or garlic bread (and some good chianti!)

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the mince, mixed herbs and garlic until combined. Season with freshly ground black pepper then, using your hands, shape the mixture into 12 balls.

  Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 10 minutes, turning regularly, until golden all over.

  Drain off any excess from the pan, then pour in the pasta sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes. If the sauce is a little thick, add a few tablespoons of boiling water.

  While the sauce is simmering, bring a medium pan of water to the boil, add the carrots and cook for 7 minutes until tender, adding the celery to the pan for the final 4 minutes of cooking time.

  Drain then stir into the pan with the meatballs.

  Meanwhile, fill another large pan with water and bring to the boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for 10-12 minutes (or to pack instructions) until tender. Drain.

  Divide the spaghetti between bowls, top with the meatballs and tomato sauce, and serve scattered with the Cheddar.

  Cook's tip: Make an extra large version of the meatballs and sauce, then have Sloppy Joes for lunch the next day... Simply use a 750g pack of mince, a 700g jar of tomato and herb pasta sauce and 2 extra carrots. This will be enough for 20 meatballs - use 12 for dinner (or 3 meatballs per person) and use the remaining ones for lunch, served warm in white finger rolls, with some crisp lettuce and a little extra cheese sprinkled on top, if liked.