Squiggle really loves spaghetti bolognese; it’s her very favourite! So when I saw some meatballs on offer the other day I knew they’d be perfect for trying out a new recipe for a different take on mince and spaghetti.
The ‘twist’ to my recipe is the fruity, creamy sauce which has four hidden vegetables making it healthy for the whole family.
I used pre-made meatballs to cut down on time but you could make your own meatballs and chill in the fridge ready to add into the recipe.
Serves: 1 baby and 2 adults generously
Ingredients:
- vegetable oil for brushing the pan
- 12 lean beef meatballs
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 courgette, grated
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp curry powder
- ½ cup of unsweetened coconut milk
- hot water from the kettle
- 125g spaghetti (I used wholewheat)
Method:
- Brush the vegetable oil onto the frying pan and place over a medium heat. Add the onions and gently fry until softened and translucent.
- Add in the carrot, pepper, courgette, paprika and curry powder and continue to cook until all the ingredients are soft.
- Remove from the heat and transfer to a plastic jug or bowl. Allow to cool for a few minutes before adding in the coconut milk and blitzing with a hand blender. Add hot water until the sauce is the consistency that you like.
- Brush another pan with oil and once hot place in the meatballs. Brown them all over and allow to cook for around 10 minutes.
- Turn the hob to a low to medium heat and pour the sauce onto the meatballs. Allow to simmer gently.
- Meanwhile, add boiling water to a saucepan and add in the spaghetti. Cook as the packet instructs.
- Once the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbling, portion off your baby’s meatballs and sauce (9 month old Squiggle had two meatballs and a large spoonful of sauce).Allow this to cool.
- Season the remaining meatballs as you wish.
- Drain the pasta and serve along with the meatballs and sauce.
- Enjoy!
We all really enjoyed this meal and the meatballs were the perfect size for Squiggle to pick up and eat.
Squiggle finished her meal with some natural yogurt. Yum!