There’s something American about meatballs which appeals to children. They never seen to pick though the ingredients as they may do with other meals, giving you a great opportunity to sneak in some goodness.
These are tasty, studded with sweet hits of fruit, then baked for speed and flavour. Add into a simple vegetable sauce and they’re wolfed down as a favourite post swim/match meal.
Feel free to double the quantities for the freezer.
Beef, Apricot and Herb Meatballs (Serves 4)
Meatballs:
400g low fat beef mince
2 x banana shallots, finely diced
1 x clove of garlic, minced or finely chopped
100g finely chopped apricots or dates
handful of fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped, stalks and all
Sauce:
1 chopped onion
1 x clove garlic, chopped
1 x tbsp umami paste
1 x cup hot beef stock
1 x tin chopped tomatoes
Seasoning – sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Pasta :
400g of Pappardelle, tagliatelle or fettuccine
Preheat the oven to 220/200 (fan)/Gas 7
Mix all of the meatball ingredients together and shape into 12/14 balls and arrange on a greased baking tray.
Pop them into the hot oven for approx 15 minutes and cooked through, showing some colour.
Meanwhile, sweat off the onion and garlic in a large frying pan and when transparent, throw in the remaining sauce ingredients, season well with salt and freshly ground pepper, stir and simmer gently for 10/15 minutes.
Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of salted water until al dente – follow the pack for instructions and go for the lower end of the minutes they suggest for cooking.
When the meatballs are cooked through, add to the tomato sauce and plate into warmed bowls, ready for some fresh parmesan and appreciative noises from the table.
One Sporty Mother 
Who doesn’t like a good meatball sub? Its a delicious morsel of meat, herbs and veggies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a delicious take on the traditional meatball. Now you’ve got me wondering if my kids would like them – I’ll have to give them a try and see how it goes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Brandi – give them a try and experiment on different flavours such as herbs, smoked paprika, BBQ sauce in the veg sauce, etc., depending on their tastes so that it gives them an more familiar base to start with maybe?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are talking my language. Nothing like a good meatball. My favorite item with your recipe is the apricot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Peter – let me know how you get on…… sometimes I add things like crushed walnuts and dates also. Any further ideas welcome!
LikeLike
Meatballs were definitely one of my favourite dinners when I was a kid. I like the idea of incorporating apricots or dates, I’ll have to give that a try!
LikeLiked by 1 person
noms! perfect for making this weekend for potluck! thanks for the recipe!
XOXO // Check out my latest post if you like 😉
SINCERELY OPHELIA | 5 reasons why you should get small bag for your next purchase
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds interesting! Reading the ingredients I can tell that the meatballs were tender and flavorful. You got me all curious, I have to try it myself 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh, yum. These meatballs sound amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never heard of putting fruit in meatballs, although it sounds good to me! I have only made my own barbecue sauce including blueberry jam to make sauce for them.
LikeLike
This sounds delicious.Though I don’t eat beef,I will try this with chicken meatballs.Meatballs are one of my favourite foods!
LikeLike
Meatballs are always a great choice for any meal! I will definitely have to try this recipe.
LikeLike
The sauce sounds amazing and as I’ve just become vegetarian, I will try the sauce with some veggies.
LikeLike
Wow! What a delicious recipe that I will have to try with my family. I never expected Apricots in meatballs but I can see how the sweetness can really cut through the fat and provide a tender, juicy flavor. Well done!
xo,
Molly
http://www.allaboutgoodvibes.com
LikeLike
Miam looks tasty 🙂 Thanks for sharing
LikeLike
I LOVE making meatballs. They seem to freeze so well so on busy nights, I’ll grab a portioned freezer bag of them, boil some noodles, pop some of my homemade canned pasta sauce and I’ve got an instant meal that taste like it took hours!
LikeLike
I hadn’t heard of apricot in meatballs, but it sounds yummy! Alot of people put meatballs on their sandwhiches as well, such a good hearty meal to have.
LikeLike
This recipe sounds like a hit for my kids! They sure love the classic favorite and it would be nice to make this for them one of these days!
LikeLike
Oooh I love the idea of adding apricot to the meatballs! I would love to make a veggie version using Quorn! xx
LikeLike
I’m from Sweden and only eat the meatballs from Ikea 😉 But these looks delicious, might have to try them anyways 🙂
LikeLike
I’m not a meat eater but back in the day, I would have been in love with this!
LikeLike
We’re having meatballs tonight. I think I am going to tweak my meatball mix a bit and add some spices too. We always have pasta with meatballs and there is absolutely no left overs!
LikeLike
This looks good! I have never made meatballs, this would be fun to do with the grandsons!
LikeLike
Apart from the recipe, you have a unique & attractive post layout. This recipe is share worthy!
LikeLike
Ok I could eat this up right now. It sounds delicious.
LikeLike
Once a month we host Spaghetti Saturdays for all of the people in our lives we love. We have a standard Sicilian Meatballs and serve another as well. Next month I’m going to give these a try!
LikeLike
Brilliant! Let me know how you get on with them – they tend to shift in larger quantities than regular meatballs as the texture is lighter. Send us a picture!
LikeLike
Meatballs are one of my favourite dishes! I love a big plate of meatballs and pasta smothered in parmesan! These sound delicious!
LikeLike
The apricot would add such an interesting flavor to the meatballs! I can taste it now with some pasta and vodka sauce, yum!
LikeLike
Vodka sauce – interesting! What does that involve?
LikeLike
I love your recipes that are always so tasty and mouth-wateringly good. Meatballs is always a hot in my home, a tad skeptical on the apricot front, but your recipes are always a hit here.
LikeLike
Oh ye of little faith! Try the apricots or swap for some dried dates or figs – they really work!
LikeLike
This recipe seems to be the best i came across. Will definately give it try.
LikeLike
What a unique recipe for meatballs. They sound really tasty. We are actually having meatballs next week, maybe I’ll get adventurous and try this out.
LikeLike
Whenever I’ve made meatballs, they’ve just been kind of plain and boring. I love this twist on it and will definitely be adding it to my list of foods to try. Thank you!
LikeLike
We love meatballs at our house. In fact once a month we have something we call Spaghetti Saturdays. We invite our friends (whoever can come) and sit down to spaghetti and meatballs. They’re comfort food in every way!
LikeLike
This sounds like something that my nephews and husband would love me for! I’d love to keep the recipe and make this for them when everyone comes over to visit!
LikeLike
It’s funny how you said that there’s something very American in meatballs 🙂 I have always found them very Swedish and they have been my fav childhood food. This recipe with dried fruit sounds super delicious – have to try it!
LikeLike
My kids love meatballs! Whenever we do spaghetti and I don’t add meatballs, one of my kids is genuinely upset over it. Lol. I love sneaking in healthy ingredients and I will have to try this meatball recipe.
LikeLike