The perfect midweek family dinner recipe – SPICED CHICKEN MEATBALL PASTA SAUCE

This one is a ‘stress-free’ family pleaser for sure, so if you’re out of dinner ideas, plan it in to your weekly menu

. INGREDIENTS:

3 tbsp olive oil

500g chicken breast mince

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground fennel

1 red chilli, finely chopped (optional)

75g bacon or pancetta, chopped (fat removed)

2 tbsp parsley, chopped

400g cherry tomatoes

1 cup chicken stock

1 can chopped tomatoes

2 handfuls spinach leaves

Zucchini noodles, to serve

 METHOD

 Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

 Heat a large pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil.

 Add onions, garlic and bacon or pancetta and cook, stirring, until onions are soft. Add coriander, fennel and chilli and cook for another minute.

 Place chicken mince in a bowl with the parsley, add onion mixutre and season with salt. Mix with your hands until combined.

 With moist hands, roll small piecees of mixture into balls. (If you have the time, chill for 30 minutes to firm up, but just omit this step if you’re short on time).

 Place the meatballs on lined baking tray and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden.

 Place the tomatoes on another lined baking tray, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, season and roast for about 8 minutes until skins are just splitting.

 Meanwhile, return pan to heat, add chicken stock and canned tomatoes and simmer gently for 5-10 minutes until slightly reduced. Add meatballs, roasted tomatoes, spinach leaves, salt and pepper, and combine, stirring until spinach is wilted.

 To serve, spoon over zucchini noodles. This is also delicious served over roast sweet potato or pumpkin. If your family loves pasta, add a small amount of this too, and everyone is happy happy!! 

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