Pesto meatballs with butter beans

These juicy balls of flavour have distinct Mediterranean overtones with garlicky pesto and tender butter beans cooked in a rich tomato and red pepper sauce

Ingredients
500g lean steak mince
4tbp pesto
2tsp paprika
75g fresh white bread crumbs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2tbsp olive oil
2 large red pepper, deseed and diced
1 onion, chopped
400g chopped tomatoes with garlic
2tbsp caster sugar
410g can butter beans, drained and rinsed
Fresh basil leaves, to garnish
Crusty bread, to serve

Preparation
Step1 preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. in a bowl, mix together the steak mince, pesto, paprika, breadcrumbs and seasoning. Divide the mixture into 16 and roll into balls.
Step2 heat the oil in a large pan, add the meatballs and cook gently for 5 minutes, stirring, until browned all over. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to an ovenproof casserole, leaving the juices in the pan.
Step3 add the red pepper and onion to the pan and cook gently for5 minutes, until softened. Sugar and butter beans and mix well. Season to taste and bring to the boil. Carefully pour the sauce over the meatballs, cover and put in the oven to cook for 50 minutes until tender.
Step4 garnish with the basil leaves and serve with crusty bread.

Serves 4
Preparation time 15 minutes
Cooking time 50 minutes
Fat per serving 22g
Calories per serving 450