Herby pork meatballs with pesto spaghetti

serves
6
Herby pork meatballs with pesto spaghetti
Rewrite the spaghetti and meatball rules with this no-waste herby pesto.

Ingredients (14)

  • 2 cups mixed herb leaves (we used basil, flat-leaf parsley and mint), plus extra to serve
  • 240ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup (60g) finely grated parmesan (or other hard cheese such as pecorino or manchego), plus extra to serve
  • 1/4 cup (40g) roasted nuts (we used almonds)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) baby capers, drained
  • 2 long red or green chillies, seeds removed, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • Zest of 1 lemon, juice of 1/2, remainder cut into wedges, to serve
  • 500g pork mince
  • 1 onion, coarsely grated, excess liquid squeezed out
  • 2 cups (140g) sourdough breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 500g raw mixed green vegetables, chopped (we used broccoli, zucchini and frozen peas)
  • 500g spaghetti

Don't forget you can add these ingredients to your Woolworths shopping list.

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Method

  • 1.
    Place herbs, 1/3 cup (80ml) oil, parmesan, nuts, capers, chilli, garlic, lemon zest and juice in a food processor and whiz until finely chopped. Set aside half the mixture. Place remaining mixture in a bowl with the mince, onion, 1/2 cup (35g) breadcrumbs and egg. Season and combine well. With slightly wet hands, roll heaped table- spoons of the mince mixture into balls and chill for 20 minutes to firm.
  • 2.
    Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil, add vegetables and cook for 5 minutes or until tender. Refresh in a bowl of iced water. Drain well and place in a food processor with the reserved herb mixture and 1/3 cup (80ml) oil, and whiz until finely chopped. Place in a large bowl and set aside.
  • 3.
    Heat 1 tbs oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until evenly browned and cooked through. Set aside and keep warm.
  • 4.
    Heat 1 tbs oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until evenly browned and cooked through. Set aside and keep warm.H eat remaining ¼ cup (60ml) oil in a small frypan over medium heat. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups (105g) breadcrumbs and cook, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes or until crisp and golden. Season.
  • 5.
    Cook spaghetti in a large saucepan of salted boiling water for 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup (180ml) cooking water. Add the spaghetti and reserved cooking water to a large bowl with the vegetable pesto, toss to coat and season to taste.
  • 6.
    Divide among serving bowls and top with meatballs. Scatter with extra mixed herb leaves and extra grated parmesan. Serve with lemon wedges alongside.
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