Speedy Spaghetti and Sausage Meatballs

Using sausages to make meatballs saves loads of time and effort. As sausages are already seasoned, all you need to do is roll the sausage meat into meatballs. This dish is already bargainous so don't scrimp on the sausages. Unless you like to eat trotters.

Sausage meatballs are lovely with spaghetti and a simple tomato sauce which you can customise. I love adding chilli flakes and rosemary. If you don't add any cheese, one serving of speedy sausage meatballs and spaghetti is a modest 617 calories.

---

Speedy Spaghetti and Sausage Meatballs

• Serves: 4 adults
• Time:  15 mins hands on time + 10 mins cooking
• Cost:  £1.09 per serving
• Calories:  617 per serving

Ingredients:

• 6 chunky pork sausages
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 500g passata
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• Pinch of dried Italian mixed herbs
• Pinch of sugar
• Salt, pepper to taste
• 300g spaghetti
• Chopped fresh basil & grated cheese to serve (optional) 

Method:

1. Pop a large pan of salted water on the hob and bring to the boil ready for the spaghetti while you prepare the rest of the dish. 
2. Remove the skins from the sausages. Split the sausage meat from each sausage into four and roll into meat balls.
3. Heat one tablespoon of the olive oil in a frying pan and brown the meat balls all over, swirling the pan as you go to brown evenly and keep the spherical shape.
4. Tip the meatballs onto a plate lined with two sheets of kitchen paper to soak up the excess grease.
5. Heat the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan and fry the onion for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent.
6. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Add the pasatta, tomato puree, herbs and sugar. Stir well and season to taste.
7. Add the cooked meatballs to the tomato sauce and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer gently for around ten minutes while the spaghetti is cooking.
8. Drain the cooked spaghetti and add to the tomato sauce and meatballs. Still well to coat all the spaghetti and serve topped with fresh herbs and cheese if you like.