Meatless Spaghetti "Meatballs"
Make this your go-to meat-free Monday dish. These "meat" less meatballs are super tasty, high in protein and ready in just 30 minutes. Simmered in our veggie-loaded tomato sauce, it's a family meal packed with at least 3 of your 5 a day and we promise that you won't miss the meat!
Method
Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.
Step 1
Set a large frying pan over a medium-high heat and add half the olive oil. Add the "meat" balls and fry for 4-5 minutes until browned. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan. Remove the "meat" balls from the pan and set aside.
Step 2
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the remaining olive oil. Add the chopped onion, garlic, celery, carrot and a large pinch of salt and the oregano. Cook for 10-12 minutes, until softened but not coloured.
Step 3
Next, add the "meatballs" back to the pan, followed by the passata. Swill a little water around the jar and add this too. Add the sugar, balsamic vinegar the torn bay leaf and the chilli flakes, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, until reduced by half. NB, this sauce can be simmered for longer, low and slow for a richer flavour, if you have time.
Step 4
Whilst the sauce is simmering, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti for 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain (reserving a cup full of pasta water) and fold through the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water as you go. Stir through torn basil leaves, then taste to check the seasoning and adjust as necessary. Serve with a generous grating of veggie hard cheese and lots more black pepper.
- Ingredients
- Based on 4 servings
-
430g Tomato Passata 1x Sainsbury's Rustica Italian Passata, Taste the Difference 430g -
1 Red Onion, finely chopped 1x Sainsbury's Red Onions Loose -
4 Garlic Cloves, peeled and chopped or grated 1x Sainsbury's Garlic -
2 Celery Sticks, diced 1x Sainsbury's Celery -
340g Vegetarian "meat" balls 2x The Vegetarian Butcher Chilled Vegetarian Meat Balls Unbelievaballs High in Protein 170g -
30g Basil, picked 1x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Basil 30g -
2 Carrot, peeled and diced 2x Sainsbury’s Carrots Loose -
4 tbsp Olive Oil 1x Sainsbury's Olive Oil, Extra Virgin 500ml -
1 tsp Sugar 1x Sainsbury's White Caster Sugar 500g -
1 Bay Leaves 1x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Bay Leaves -
60g Veggie Hard Cheese, grated 1x Stamford Street Co. Italian Hard Cheese 200g -
1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar 1x Sainsbury's Balsamic Vinegar Of Modena 1 Leaf 250ml -
1 tbsp Dried Oregano 1x Sainsbury's Oregano 12g -
400g Spaghetti 1x Sainsbury's Spaghetti Pasta 500g -
0.25 tsp Crushed Chilli Flakes 1x Sainsbury's Crushed Chillies 32g -
Maldon Salt, to taste 1x Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 250g