When it comes to spaghetti and meatballs, I’m a fan of chonky meatballs. These meatballs are egg size and weigh just over 70 grams each. You can use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop but I just eyeball it.

Spaghetti and Chonky Meatballs

20 mins prep | 40 mins cook
Difficulty: Easy | Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
1 slice bread (the end slice of a loaf is perfect)
½ cup milk
700g beef mince
¼ onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp oil
½ cup red wine
400g can diced tomatoes
1 beef stock cube dissolved in ½ cup hot water
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp dried oregano
½ tsp chilli flakes

TO SERVE
400g dried spaghetti cooked to package instructions
Grated parmesan
Fresh parsley

PREPARATION
1. Cut the bread into 1 cm strips, then cut into 1cm cubes. Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl with milk. Allow to soak for 2 minutes until soft. Mash gently with a spoon to break up the bread into a paste.
2. Add onion, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Add the beef mince and mix to combine.
4. Using wet hands, scoop a ¼ cup of mince mixture (around the size of an egg). Form into a ball and place the meatball on a plate. Repeat until all the mince is used up. You should have 12 large meatballs approximately 70 grams each.
5. Place a non-stick pan on the stove on medium heat. Once hot, add oil. Add meatballs in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes, turning to brown the meatballs on all sides.
6. Add red wine and gently stir to incorporate. Stir in diced tomatoes and stock cube water. Add tomato paste, dried oregano and chilli flakes. Bring to a simmer and turn heat down to low.
7. Cover with lid and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove lid and continue cooking for 5 minutes to thicken. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
8. Add cooked spaghetti to the pan. Stir gently to coat pasta in sauce.
9. To serve, divide onto 4 plates. Top generously with grated parmesan and chopped parsley.

This recipe was created in collaboration with Stevens New Zealand and features Stevens Cambridge Serveware and Stevens Stemless Glasses.