Meatballs are an all time family favourite, a real winner with the kids. These delicious tuna meatballs are a twist on the classic meatballs, they're easy to make and healthy too.

Ingredients

For the sauce:

Olive oil

2 garlic cloves

1 red onion

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

1/2 tsp dried oregano

Red wine vinegar

Fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

Salt and Pepper

For the meatballs:

200g fresh tuna

25g pine nuts

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried cinnamon

Parmesan, freshly grated

1 egg

1 lemon

Breadcrumbs

 

Method

01. In a large pan, add your olive oil, onion and garlic and fry for about 10 of minutes.

02. Add your oregano, tomatoes, salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Simmer for about 15 minutes and then liquidise until smooth. 

03. Whilst the sauce is simmering, chop your tuna in to 1 inch pieces.

04. Pour 2 tbsp olive oil in to a frying pan and place on the heat. Add the tuna, pine nuts and cinnamon to the pan. Season with salt and pepper and fry for a couple of minutes to cook the tuna and roast the pinenuts. Remove from the heat and put in a bowl.

05. Allow to cool then add the parsely, oregano, breadcrumbs, parmesan, eggs and lemon zest in to the bowl.

06. Using your hands, give the mixture a real mix and shape in to small meatballs (smaller than golf balls). If the mixture is a bit too sticky, add more breadcrumbs.

07.  Pop the meatbells on to an oiled tray and put in the fridge for about an hour.

08. Using the pan that you fried the tuna in, put it back on the heat and add your meatballs. Give them a little jiggle and heat them in the pan until they are golden brown all over. 

09. Add your meatballs to your tomato sauce, sprinkle with chopped parsley and drizzle a little olive oil. Best served with spaghetti or linguini.

10. Tuck in, enjoy!