Pesto Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Tender chicken meatballs with basil pesto mixed through, simmered in a simple tomato sauce and served with spaghetti.
Made with Basic tomato sauce and Basil pesto. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.19 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the chicken mince, gluten free breadcrumbs, egg, half of your ready made basil pesto (see the base recipe) and a good pinch of salt in a bowl with your hands. Do not overwork it.
- 2
Shape into 20 even balls, about the size of a walnut. Chill for 10 minutes if you have time.
10 min - 3
Heat the olive oil in a wide pan over a medium high heat. Brown the meatballs in two batches for 4 minutes, turning, until golden all over.
4 min - 4
Pour in your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through, no pink inside and 75C in the middle.
15 min - 5
Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water to the packet time. Drain and toss with a little of the sauce.
10 min - 6
Serve the meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti with the rest of the pesto dolloped over the top and the torn basil.
Tips
- Wet your hands when you roll the balls. The mixture is soft and sticks.
- Don't squeeze the meatballs. Light shaping keeps them tender.
- Gluten free spaghetti turns gluey quickly, so cook it fresh and serve straight away.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes. Keeps 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. Reheat in the sauce until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I bake the meatballs?
Yes. Bake on a lined tray at 200C for 15 minutes, then add to the warm sauce for a few minutes. They are less browned but need less washing up.
Can I use turkey or pork mince?
Yes. Turkey works like for like. Pork mince is richer, so use a slightly smaller ball and check the middle is cooked through.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.