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Turkey Meatballs in Rich Tomato & Herb Sauce

Recipe

The ultimate comfort food, these meatballs are served in an intense tomato sauce. Turkey mince can often be used as a lower-fat alternative to minced beef or pork.  

Serves: 4 people   |   Prep time: 5 minutes   |   Cook time: 25 minutes

Main  

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces white slightly stale bread  
  • 500g (1lb) minced turkey 4 spring onions, thinly sliced  
  • 1 tablespoon paprika  
  • 6 tablespoons chopped parsley  
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil  
  • 1 onion, finely chopped  
  • 2×400g (13oz) cans chopped tomatoes  
  • 3 tablespoons tomato purée  
  • pepper  
  • cooked rice or noodles, or mashed potato, to serve

Method

  1. To make the breadcrumbs, tear the stale white bread into a food processor and blend.  
  2. If the bread is not stale enough, then lightly toast it before blending it.  
  3. Place the minced turkey in a bowl with the breadcrumbs, spring onions, paprika and 3 tablespoons of the parsley and mix together with a fork until thoroughly blended. Shape into 20–24 balls.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan and cook the meatballs over a medium heat for 20 minutes, turning frequently, until browned all over and cooked through.
  5. Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a separate large, heavy-based frying pan and cook the onion over a medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until just softened.  
  6. Add the tomatoes and tomato purée and season generously with pepper.  
  7. Bring to the boil, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce has reduced a little and thickened.
  8. Stir the remaining parsley into the sauce, then stir in the cooked meatballs.  
  9. Serve with cooked rice or pasta.