Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 45 mins | Serves: 4 | Cost: £

Ingredients

For the meatballs..

• 500g mince (I like to use beef and pork mince). The combination of both is not only cheaper than just beef, but gives the meatballs better flavour.
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves crushed
• 2 tsp ground cumin.
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• large pinch paprika
• Handful breadcrumbs (see tips)
• 1 beaten egg
• Splash of oil

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients except the oil. Give it all a really good mix with your hands.
2. Shape the mixture into balls. You can do this any size you like. I tend to do golf ball size.
3. Heat a splash of oil in a pan. Once oil is hot add meatballs and brown. Depending on size you have made you may need to do in batches. Once they are evenly browned, remove and put in either a casserole dish with a lid or in your slow cooker.
4. Now for the sauce. Heat a little oil in a pan, once hot add onions, cook until soft. Add garlic, carrot, peppers and courgette. Once your veg has softened add wine (if using). Cook for couple of minutes.
5. Add tomatoes, herbs and stock. Bring to the boil, then turn down to simmer until sauce has reduce.
6. Once you are happy your sauce has reduced, season and pour over meatballs.
7. If you are using a slow cooker you can cook on high or low depending on when you want to have your meal. If putting in oven heat oven to 180°C and cook until bubbling. Normally about 45mins.
8. Serve with any type of pasta, but I think spaghetti is best!
9. Top with grated cheese.

Blags, Tips & Tricks

• When it comes to bread crumbs, I always have a bag in the freezer. This is because whenever I have any type of bread that is going slightly stale, I blitz it in a food processor. Then you can pop in a bag and every time you have more just add to the bag.