Cheesy Spaghetti & Meat-Free Meatball Bake

Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 180°C (fan)/ gas 6

Boil a kettle

Peel and grate the garlic

Combine the meat-free mince with half of the grated garlic (you'll use the rest later!) and a very generous pinch of salt and pepper

Give everything a good mix up until fully combined

Divide the meat-free mince into 6 [12] and shape into meatballs

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a generous drizzle of vegetable oil over a medium heat

Add the meat-free meatballs to the pan and cook for 6-7 min, turning frequently, until they're browned on all sides

Once browned, transfer to a plate and reserve the pan for later (these will finish cooking in the oven later)

While the meat-free meatballs are browning, peel and finely dice the red onion[s]

Return the reserved pan to a medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt

Once hot, add the diced red onion and remaining grated garlic and cook for 6-7 min or until softened and slightly caramelised

Dissolve the vegetable stock mix in 200ml [350ml] boiled water

Once the onion has softened, add the dried oregano and tomato paste and cook for 1 min

Add the chopped tomato, vegetable stock and half of the balsamic vinegar (you'll use the rest later!) and cook for 2-3 min or until the sauce has slightly thickened

Meanwhile, chop the basil roughly, including the stalks

Once the sauce has slightly thickened, add half of the chopped basil (save the rest for garnish!) with a pinch of salt and a very generous crack of black pepper

Roughly break the spaghetti up into thirds, add it to the pan and mix everything together – this is your tomato & basil sauce

Add the tomato & basil sauce to an oven-proof dish with 150ml [250ml] boiled water and press down on the broken spaghetti so that it's submerged in the sauce

Place the meat-free meatballs on top and put the dish in the oven for an initial 20 min – this is your spaghetti & meat-free meatball bake

While the meatballs are cooking, grate the cheddar cheese

Remove the dish from the oven after 20 min and top with the grated cheese

Return the cheesy spaghetti & meat-free meatball bake to the oven and cook for a final 5 min or until the cheese has melted

Wash the rocket, then pat it dry with kitchen paper

Add the rocket to a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, the remaining balsamic vinegar and a crack of black pepper