Meatballs with tomato & green olive sauce

Latest comments and suggestions

• cmf-foodfile

  04 March 2009

  cmf-foodfile commented on this recipe

  I really like the sound of this. I reckon I could make the meatballs and freeze them. And I could make the sauce and freeze it. In fact, I like the sound of the sauce so much that I'll give it a try, then hopefully be able to make it in a larger quantity and freeze it in portions.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Liezel

  15 March 2009

  Liezel rated and commented on this recipe

  

  This is a great recipe, try it! I seved it with penne and my husband loved it. I thought it would be a bit of effort, since it requires making the meatballs so I made it on a Saturday. I will make this again, and definitely for friends

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• JWeller

  07 June 2009

  JWeller rated and commented on this recipe

  

  This is a really good recipe. I use beef mince as pork mince can be difficult to find where I live (Dubai) but it still turns out well. I also fry the meatballs in the frying pan first then make the tomato sauce using the same pan so all the 'bits' leftover get combined into the sauce.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Lindsey

  16 June 2009

  Lindsey commented on this recipe

  Everyone in the house liked this recipe, my very fussy son wasn't keen on the olives in the tomato sauce and everyone felt that the sauce was a little runny, so perhaps it needs longer to simmer. But would definitely make this one again.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Elizabeth

  02 August 2009

  Elizabeth rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I used frozen meatballs, and served with chickpea flatbreads. It was really really tasty and I'll definitely make it again!

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• PanClanger

  03 August 2009

  PanClanger rated and commented on this recipe

  

  the meatballs were lovely! I used Peccorino cheese instead of Parmesan, as that's all I had, but they were scrumptious. I can't help but think, though, that another dimension is needed for the tomato sauce. I think next time I make it (and there WILL be a next time) I will try a roast tomato sauce, made with fresh ripe tomatoes and more seasoning than specified here. The sauce seems to need more depth of flavour and a little sweetness. Cloves, however, do work well. I think a little nutmeg wouldn't go amiss either. My advice is - give this recipe a go, but be prepared to adapt and improve.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Beth

  15 October 2009

  Beth rated this recipe

  

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Beth

  15 October 2009

  Beth rated this recipe

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• emmalooroo

  20 April 2010

  emmalooroo rated this recipe

  

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Annie

  06 June 2011

  Annie rated and commented on this recipe

  

  This was great as I had lean minced pork to use. I made the meatballs but added the zest of one lemon to them and then I substituted the green olives (hubby not a fan) with 2 tbsp of capers in the sauce. The lemon works well with the fennel and the capers give the sauce a lift as well. Served with wholewheat spaghetti and shaved pecorino romano (my fave over parmesan!) I used 1/2tsp of crushed chilis and found this gave the right spice for me. :) Would make this again as was nice and tasty.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Fluffysammy

  09 June 2011

  Fluffysammy rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Have just made this for dinner for tonight, have cook the meatballs and sauce and will add it together last min and reheat, do you think they will realize ive already eated 2 meatballs and sauce ;-) its very yummy, def be making it agan

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• plumjam

  13 June 2011

  plumjam rated and commented on this recipe

  

  A big hit in our house. I added some dried parsley and lots of black pepper to the meatball mix. I used one tin of toms and one carton of passata as we like a bit more sauce.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Lynsey

  14 November 2011

  Lynsey rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Great for mid week.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Lynsey

  14 November 2011

  Lynsey commented on this recipe

  Great for mid week.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• katieb

  26 November 2011

  katieb rated and commented on this recipe

  

  This is a great recipe - had some reduced price pork mince and made one and half times the quantity meat balls with double quantity sauce (which turned out to be a good move as the sauce is really yummy). I sent my daughter back to college with pots of balls in sauce to freeze. She has asked for more! They freeze well and heat up easily on the hob or in the microwave. Add lots of fresh basil. A real winner and great with any sort of pasta - good for everyday or having people for supper.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Cheryl

  13 March 2012

  Cheryl rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Cooked the meatballs in the oven at 200c for 10 minutes instead of frying them. that way there`s more chance of them not breaking up. Parmesan cheese and fennel taste of meatballs was good.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Cheryl

  13 March 2012

  Cheryl commented on this recipe

  Cooked the meatballs in the oven at 200c for 10 minutes instead of frying them. that way there`s more chance of them not breaking up. Parmesan cheese and fennel taste of meatballs was good.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• jeanzim

  12 April 2012

  jeanzim rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Such a super dish. The olives really made it burst with flavor and taste fresh.

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Froozely

  06 January 2013

  Froozely rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I give it 5* based on my small changes - fesh sage instead of fennel in the meatballs, black kalamata instead of green olives, and a mix of fresh tomatoes, tomato paste and a little water instead of the tinned tomatoes. I also didn't use cloves as my other half hates them. Was delicious and easy! We couldn't really taste the parmesan, but that may be due to cheese here in NZ being a bit rubbish compared to that back home!

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:
• Nell Mustard

  07 February 2013

  Nell Mustard rated and commented on this recipe

  

  This was gorgeous! One satisfied boyfriend! The cloves made a big difference (even if I did forget to take them out!)...added some Lea n Perrins into the sauce and Branston Pickle into the meatball mix itself and some cayenne pepper....smooth and hot!

  Flag as inappropriate

  Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  Your name: Reason:

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9700/

Your binder

Sign up or sign in to receive a £60 wine voucher, and to save, rate and comment on recipes. Plus, get our newsletter.

Ingredients

• 500g lean pork mince
• 1 red onion , grated or very finely chopped
• a pinch dried chilli flakes
• ½ tsp fennel seeds , crushed in a pestle and mortar
• Parmesan , grated to make 4 tbsp

TOMATO AND OLIVE SAUCE

• olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves , sliced
• 2 x 400g tins plum tomatoes
• 4 cloves
• 12 green olives , pitted and quartered
• a small bunch basil , shredded
• 300g tagliatelle
• a knob butter

Search Good Food

Keywords

Refine your recipe search

Search filter options

Search by cooking times Less than 10 minutes 10-30 minutes 35-60 minutes Over an hour Search by difficulty Easy Moderately easy For the keen cook Search by cuisine American British Caribbean French German Greek Indian Irish Italian Japanese Mediterranean Mexican Middle Eastern Moroccan Scottish Spanish Thai Vietnamese Search by course Warm starter Cold starter Main course Side dish Pudding Soup Course Breakfast Search by calorie range Less than 200 200-400 400-600 600-800 Over 800 Search by occasion Midweek meal Dinner party Family favourite Birthdays Christmas New Year Mother's Day Chinese New Year Easter Search by chef Good Food Team olive Angela Nilsen Anjum Anand Ching-He Huang Gary Rhodes Gordon Ramsay James Martin John Torode Ken Hom Lesley Waters Mary Cadogan Matt Tebbutt Merrilees Parker Nick Nairn Orlando Murrin Ruth Watson Sarah Cook Silvana Franco Simon Rimmer Search by diet Vegetarian Vegan Gluten-free Dairy-free Nut-free Egg-free Low-fat Low in salt Search by magazine BBC Good Food Olive Search by servings 1 2 4 6 8 For a crowd

Difficulty and servings

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Ready in 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 500g lean pork mince
• 1 red onion , grated or very finely chopped
• a pinch dried chilli flakes
• ½ tsp fennel seeds , crushed in a pestle and mortar
• Parmesan , grated to make 4 tbsp

TOMATO AND OLIVE SAUCE

• olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves , sliced
• 2 x 400g tins plum tomatoes
• 4 cloves
• 12 green olives , pitted and quartered
• a small bunch basil , shredded
• 300g tagliatelle
• a knob butter

Per serving

641 kcalories, protein 45.5g, carbohydrate 65.9g, fat 24 g, saturated fat 8.5g, fibre 4.2g, salt 1.24 g

Advertisement

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons why to sign up:

• You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
• You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.
• You can sign up for our weekly newsletter (sent out on Wednesdays) - it's packed with recipes, special offers and competitions.