The addition of mushrooms puts a healthy spin on this well-loved family recipe. Not only are we adding even more flavour and texture, but we’re also boosting the veg content by over two serves!

This amazing blended recipe was created by Adelaide-based dietitian Amanda Maiorano - check out her other work on Instagram @madeby.mandy.

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Servings

Serves 4

Homemade sauce ingredients

3 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 bay leaf

1 tbsp fresh basil

2x 400g tinned crushed tomatoes or 800g passata

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Meatball ingredients

200g SA Mushrooms

2 tbsp olive oil, divided in half

2 garlic cloves, minced

400g turkey mince

1 egg

3/4 cup breadcrumbs

3 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated

1 tsp parsley, finely chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Method

1. For the sauce, place a large pan over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes then add tomato paste. Cook, stirring regularly, for another 2-3 minutes, or until the paste darkens in colour.

2. Add the bay leaf, fresh basil, and crushed tomatoes/passata. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.

3. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and reduce heat to low.

4. For the meatballs, finely chop the mushrooms or pulse in a food processor until they resemble the texture and size of mincemeat.

5. Heat a pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add the garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the mushrooms and sauté for another 5-6 minutes, or until most of the moisture has been released.

6. In a large bowl, add the cooked mushroom, turkey mince, egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly, then roll into balls.

7. Heat the same pan with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and brown each meatball for a few minutes on all sides.

8. Transfer the par-cooked meatballs to your pot of simmering tomato sauce. Gently cover the meatballs with sauce and cook on low to medium heat for another 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.

9. Serve with warm crusty bread.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

(1 of 4 servings):

Energy2,234kjProtein34gCarbohydrates30gFat
- Saturated23g
- 4.7gFibre2.8gSodium1.5g

The nutrition information found on each recipe is calculated from individual ingredients using the nutritional data from cronometer.com database.

Note: bread is not included in above nutrition information.