Meat Balls & Spaghetti {Higher fibre make-over}

Meat balls & Spaghetti is a favourite meal of mine and super easy to prepare. I love making meat balls and eating meat balls in equal measure. I enjoy making them from scratch and adding additional fibre. Using oats or oat bran instead of bread crumbs is an easy way to increase the fibre content of the meat balls. The addition of oat bran to meals is good for cholesterol reduction. Adding cooked or canned lentils will not only increase the fibre content further but will extend your mince for a bigger yield of meat balls.

My favourite sauce is also homemade but very simple. I simply warm canned, peeled tomatoes on a medium heat, before stirring through homemade hummus and basil (freshly torn or dried). If preparing the hummus specifically for the sauce, you can add the fresh basil to the hummus for a greater release of flavour.

This recipe allows for creativity with flavours. Add your favourite herbs and spices as you see fit and bump up the heat of your sauce with chili, sun dried tomatoes or your favourite curry paste.

Other sauce ideas for meat balls:

Homemade Pasta Sauces

Nourishing Note:

Increase the nutritional opportunity by adding vegetables to the sauce:

• Mushrooms
• Carrots
• Baby marrows
• Broccoli florets

Or simply, serve with a side of crispy salad or roasted vegetables (butternut, onion, peppers, marrows)