Herbed Spaghetti With Cheese Balls in Tomato Basil Sauce
Herbed Spaghetti With Cheese Balls in Tomato Basil Sauce is a comforting and delightful Italian-inspired vegetarian dish. It features perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a medley of olive oil, garlic, and aromatic herbs, served with cheesy, golden-fried vegetable balls, all smothered in a creamy, flavorful tomato basil sauce. This recipe is perfect for dinner and is sure to win hearts with its irresistible combination of textures and flavors.
Recipe Information
| Cuisine | Italian Recipes |
|---|---|
| Course | Dinner |
| Diet | Vegetarian |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 60 minutes |
| Total Time | 70 minutes |
| Servings | 4 |
Ingredients
For the Cheesy Veg Balls
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Potatoes (Aloo), boiled & mashed | 2 |
| Onion, finely chopped | 1 |
| Green capsicum, finely chopped | 1 |
| Carrot (Gajjar), grated | 1 |
| Corn flour | 3 tablespoons |
| Mixed Herbs (Dried) | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | To taste |
| Britannia Cheese Cubes, chopped | 6 |
| Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs | 1/4 cup |
| Oil | As required for frying |
For the Tomato Basil Sauce
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic, finely chopped | 6 cloves |
| Onion, finely chopped | 1 |
| Homemade Tomato Puree | 2 cups |
| Fresh Cream | 1/4 cup |
| Basil Leaves, roughly torn | 2 sprigs |
| Cumin Powder (Jeera) | 1 teaspoon |
| Red Chilli Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Sugar | 2 teaspoons |
For the Herbed Spaghetti
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 3 tablespoons |
| Garlic, finely chopped | 4 cloves |
| Durum Wheat Spaghetti Pasta | 300 grams (cooked as per package instructions) |
| Mixed Herbs (Dried) | 2 teaspoons |
| Red Chilli Flakes | 1 teaspoon |
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Cheesy Veg Balls
- In a mixing bowl, combine boiled and mashed potatoes, finely chopped onion, green capsicum, grated carrot, corn flour, dried mixed herbs, and salt. Mix until the ingredients come together into a soft dough.
- Take small portions of the dough and flatten them slightly in your palm. Place a cube of Britannia cheese in the center, then roll the dough around the cheese to form a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough and cheese.
- Roll each ball in whole wheat bread crumbs to coat evenly.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Once hot, fry the prepared balls in batches until they turn golden brown and crisp. Remove them onto a paper towel to drain excess oil and set aside.
Step 2: Preparing the Tomato Basil Sauce
- Heat a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped garlic and onion. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
- Stir in the homemade tomato puree and cook for 5-7 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- Add fresh cream, roughly torn basil leaves, cumin powder, red chili powder, salt, and sugar. Mix well and simmer the sauce for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors are well combined, remove it from the heat and set aside.
Step 3: Preparing the Herbed Spaghetti
- Heat three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a wide skillet.
- Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté for a minute until aromatic.
- Toss in the cooked durum wheat spaghetti pasta, mixed herbs, and red chili flakes. Mix gently to coat the spaghetti evenly with the flavors. Remove from heat.
Step 4: Assembling the Dish
- Place a generous portion of herbed spaghetti on individual serving plates.
- Pour a ladleful of the prepared tomato basil sauce over the spaghetti.
- Arrange the cheesy veg balls on top of the sauce.
- Garnish with additional torn basil leaves or a sprinkle of grated cheese if desired.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~520 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 65 g |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Fats | 20 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sodium | 320 mg |
This Herbed Spaghetti With Cheese Balls in Tomato Basil Sauce brings together the creamy richness of the sauce, the cheesy indulgence of the veg balls, and the wholesome goodness of herbed spaghetti. Serve it with a side of garlic bread or a crisp salad for a complete Italian feast.
