Polpette Bucatini

Ingredients
- For the sauce:
- 100g butter
- 50ml olive oil
- 500g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 2 sprigs thyme, leaves removed
- For the polpette:
- 500g sausage meat
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 Tsp fennel seeds, roughly crushed
- 1 egg
- 50g breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp olive oil
- To serve:
- 350g bucatini
- Small handful basil leaves
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- YOU’LL NEED
- Sauté pan
- Frying pan
- Saucepan
1
Add the butter and oil to a sauté pan over a low heat. Once melted, add the tomatoes, thyme and garlic. Allow to simmer over a low heat for 15-20 minutes until the tomatoes have softened completely. Use a fork to lightly press the tomatoes down.
2
Mix all the ingredients for the polpette, apart from the oil,in a medium-sized bowl. Using damp hands, shape into balls about the size of a walnut. You’re aiming for thirty.
3
Add oil to another pan over medium heat and fry the meatballs for 10-15 minutes, tossing occasionally to brown all sides. While they are cooking, cook the pasta.
4
Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Salt the water well and add the pasta. Cook for 10-12 minutes or according to packet instructions until al dente.
5
Transfer the rough tomato sauce to the meatballs and bring to a steady simmer until the meatballs get nicely coated.
6
Using tongs, transfer the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss through. Serve sprinkled with basil leaves and grated Parmesan.