Flavourful meatballs and zesty Arrabbiata sauce combine in this quick and easy recipe. These meatballs are lightly fried and then simmered in a fiery, aromatic tomato sauce with a hint of red wine. Finished with a generous sprinkling of Parmesan for an irresistible Italian-inspired dish.

PREP 20m

Ingredients-

For the Meatballs:

• 500g ground pork and beef mince

• Plain flour for coating

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Arrabbiata Sauce:

• 1 diced onion

• 1 garlic clove, grated

• 1 red chilli, 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

• Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions-

1. Crafting the Perfect Meatballs:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork and beef mince, transforming them into 3cm meatballs.

• Gently, thinly coat each meatball in plain flour, ensuring a golden exterior when they meet the heat.

• In a pan add 1 tbsp of olive oil and the meatballs. Lightly fry until they achieved a golden brown hue. Set aside for a moment.

2. Spicy Arrabbiata Magic:

• In a separate pan, infuse 1 tbsp of olive oil with diced onion, grated garlic, and finely diced red chili.

• As the vegetables soften, introduce the red wine, lemon juice, sugar, tomato purée, soy sauce, and the tin of chopped/plum tomatoes to the pan. Let simmer and meld for the next 15 minutes.

• Stir in the freshly chopped parsley and basil. Then, reunite the browned meatballs with the sauce, letting them soak up all the sauce.

• Allow to simmer until the meatballs reach the pinnacle of tenderness.

3. Serving Up:

• The moment has arrived to plate up your creation. Spoon the Meatballs in Arrabbiata Sauce onto a waiting dish, and shower them with Parmesan cheese.

• Enjoy the meatballs perfectly complemented by the zesty Arrabbiata sauce.

Tips-

1. Spice Control:

   • Adjust the level of spice to suit your preference. If you're a spice enthusiast, consider adding an extra chili or a pinch of red pepper flakes during the sauce preparation.

2. Pasta Pairing:

   • Serve the meatballs and sauce over your favourite pasta variety, such as spaghetti or penne.

3. Make-Ahead Magic:

   • Save time by preparing the meatballs in advance. Simply refrigerate them until you're ready to cook.

Variations-

1. Turkey Twist:

   • Opt for ground turkey as a leaner alternative to pork and beef. The meatballs will still be flavourful, and it's a healthier choice.

2. Vegetarian Delight:

   • Transform this recipe by replacing the meatballs with plant-based alternatives. Consider using vegetarian meat substitutes or a mix of lentils and mushrooms.

3. Gluten-Free Option:

   • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour to coat the meatballs and ensure that other ingredients, such as soy sauce, are gluten-free.

4. Herb Infusion:

   • Experiment with fresh herbs to infuse different flavours. Try adding rosemary, thyme, or oregano to the meatball mixture for a herbal twist.

5. Extra Creamy:

   • Introduce a touch of creaminess to the sauce by stirring in a couple of tablespoons of heavy cream or cream cheese. This variation adds a luxurious texture to the Arrabbiata sauce.

Remember, cooking is an art, and these tips and variations are meant to inspire your creativity in the kitchen. Feel free to tailor the recipe to your taste preferences and dietary needs.