I must confess that meatballs is one of those things I struggle with a bit. I have one tried and tested recipe but not much else. Don’t get me wrong, I really like meatballs. They are usually offer really good value for money. However I usually don’t find them very inspiring. This has recently changed thanks to Tesco magazine. They published a recipe for meatballs bake that I liked enough to try. I had to fine tune it a bit to meet my preferences and I am now ready to share my version of Tesco’s meatballs and pasta in tomato sauce. It is a fantastic way to cook delicious meal in one pot that would feed the whole family. Simple, easy but flavoursome. Meatballs are now my friends!

Serves 4

Equipment required: flameproof roasting tray. I use cast iron dish that can be used on the hob as well.

Ingredients:

• 1 tblsp rapeseed oil
• 2 small red onions, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 350g beef meatballs (I use 20 small meatballs as they are easier to serve to kids. However you can replace them by 12 regular size meatballs)
• 500ml tomato passata
• 1 tblsp tomato purée
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp sugar
• 250g small pasta (I like orzo but corbata should work as well)
• 80g feta cheese, cut into 1cm cubes.

Method:

1. e Pre heat the oven to 180 centigrade
2. Heat the oil in the roasting tray (or large saucepan if the tray is not safe to use on the hob) over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the meatballs and cook for another 2 minutes, turning frequently to ensure they are evenly browned.
4. Pour in the passata and 150ml water. Stir in the tomato purée, bay leaf and sugar. If you used saucepan, transfer contents into the roasting tray.
5. Place the tray in the middle of pre heated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Rinse the pasta under cold water. Drain well.
7. After 25 minutes of baking stir in the pasta into the meatball and sauce mixture. Scatter over the cheese and return to the oven.
8. Bake for another 20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked.

Serve immediately with a glass of chianti.