Meatballs in Tomato Sauce with Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 large onions
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large can tomatoes (800 g drained weight)
• 400 g ground meat
• 4 Tbsp breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp parmesan (freshly grated)
• 3 tbsp mixed Italian herbs (finely chopped)
• 400 g fusilli
• Salt
• pepper (from grinder)
• paprika powder
• chopped thyme leaves (for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1.

   Peel and dice onions and garlic cloves, sauté in 2 tbsp hot oil. Remove half. Add tomatoes with liquid to the remaining mixture, mash with a potato masher, simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes.

2. 2.

   Knead ground meat, remaining sautéed onions and garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, and herbs; season. With wet hands form tennis-ball-sized balls. Brown in the remaining hot oil all around. Place in tomato sauce, cook for about 10 minutes until done.

3. 3.

   Cook pasta in salted water to al dente. Season and taste the tomato sauce. Plate meatballs in tomato sauce with pasta and sprinkle thyme on top.