Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g beef mince
• 1 egg
• 50g breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• For the sauce:
• 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Spaghetti or crusty bread, to serve

Method

1. Mix the mince, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Shape into golf-ball-sized meatballs (you should get about 16-20).
2. Optionally, brown the meatballs in a frying pan for better colour.
3. Make the sauce: mix the tinned tomatoes, diced onion, garlic, tomato puree, sugar, and basil in the slow cooker.
4. Gently place the meatballs into the sauce.
5. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
6. Serve over spaghetti or with crusty bread for dipping into the sauce.

Tips

For a twist, try adding a teaspoon of fennel seeds to the meatball mix — it gives them an Italian sausage flavour.