MEATLESS BALLS IN ARRABBIATA SAUCE

Savour the goodness of meatless balls paired with a zesty Arrabbiata sauce for a delightful, plant-based meal. These savoury balls, made from a blend of mushrooms, mixed beans, and herbs, are baked to perfection and served with a robust tomato-based sauce featuring red wine, lemon juice, and a hint of chili. Pair it with your favourite pasta for a satisfying, meat-free experience.

PREP 20m

COOK 30m

TOTAL 50m

SERVES 4

Ingredients-

For Meatless Balls:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for softening)

  • 1/2 onion, grated

  • 2 garlic cloves, grated

  • 5 mushrooms, grated

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp tomato purée

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • Pinch of salt and pepper

  • 1 tin mixed beans (400g)

  • 4 tbsp blended oats

  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil

  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

For Arrabbiata Sauce:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 diced onion

  • 1 garlic clove, grated

  • 1 red chili, finely diced

  • 100ml red wine

  • 1/4 lemon juice

  • 1 tbsp sugar

  • 1 tbsp tomato purée

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tin chopped/plum tomatoes

  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped basil

For Serving:

  • Pasta of your choice (e.g., Green Pea Penne)

Instructions-

Prepare Meatless Balls:

  1. In a pan, soften grated onion, garlic, and mushrooms in 1 tbsp olive oil.

  2. In a bowl, combine the softened mixture with soy sauce, tomato purée, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.

  3. Add mixed beans, blended oats, fresh basil, and fresh parsley. Mash everything together.

  4. Roll the mixture into 12-15 balls and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.

  5. Bake at 175°C for 15 minutes.

Prepare Arrabbiata Sauce:

  1. In a frying pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil.

  2. Add diced onion, grated garlic, and finely diced red chili. Sauté until softened.

  3. Add red wine, lemon juice, sugar, tomato purée, soy sauce, and tinned tomatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes.

  4. Stir in freshly chopped parsley and basil.

Assemble:

  1. Serve the meatless balls with the Arrabbiata sauce over your preferred pasta (e.g., green pea penne).

  2. Avoid cooking the meatless balls directly in the tomato sauce to maintain their shape.

  3. If the sauce needs thinning, add some pasta water before draining.

Serve and Enjoy!