Advertisement

For the meatballs

For the sauce

Nutrition: Per toddler serving, without pasta and cheese

  • kcal145
  • fat5g
    low
  • saturates1g
  • carbs8g
  • sugars6g
  • fibre2g
  • protein16g
  • salt0.28g

Method

  • step 1

    Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat 2 tsp rapeseed oil in a medium saucepan. Add the onion and cook for 5-10 mins until softened. Blitz the bread in a food processor until you have breadcrumbs. Add the cooked onion, carrot, celery and peppers and pulse until finely chopped. You may need to use a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl a few times. Add the pork, egg and a little black pepper, then pulse to combine.

  • step 2

    Divide the mixture in half. Shape half into small meatballs about the size of large marbles and arrange on a baking tray lined with foil. Shape the rest into golf-ball-sized meatballs. Arrange on a lined tray and open freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and save for another meal. Now bake the mini meatballs for 25 mins or until browned and cooked through.

  • step 3

    Meanwhile, make the sauce. Using the same pan that you cooked the onion in, heat the 1 tsp oil, add the garlic and cook for 2 mins. Pour in the passata, add the thyme and sugar. Simmer for 5-10 mins. Gently stir the meatballs and any juices into the sauce and heat through for a few mins. Stir the meatballs through the spaghetti and serve with grated cheese.

RECIPE TIPS
GETTING AHEAD

As lean pork mince is not readily available in 250g packs, here we suggest making extra meatballs. You can easily double the sauce too if you really want to get ahead – freeze this separately in a sealed container.

DEFROST AND COOK

To cook the raw meatballs, thoroughly defrost on a foil-lined tray in the fridge and cook at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 15-20 mins until cooked through. Heat the sauce on the hob and add in the meatballs as above. You can freeze the cooked mini-meatballs in the sauce in portions. Defrost thoroughly and reheat in the microwave, or on the hob, until piping hot throughout. Allow to cool for at least 5 mins before serving to a child.

Advertisement

Comments, questions and tips

Rate this recipe

What is your star rating out of 5?

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Overall rating

A star rating of 3.8 out of 5.5 ratings
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement