Mash Up Monday! Spicy Pasta with Tuna Meatballs

I can barely contain myself as I type.
I am so excited to post this recipe for you. 
It's been a while since there's been a MashUp Monday meal but this week, not only is it a mashup its meatless (which seems to be the "trend" - Meatless Mondays, pffft I like my meat)

The idea came about by way of a company, Aurora Importing, who has just recently started what they call "Recipideo Roundup".  Every month they create a YouTube video of a simple recipe for folks to try, which also has the opportunity to win gift certificates for their online store (in Canada).
Now, you can follow the recipe to a tee or you can be creative.
Obviously I don't follow a mold especially when its a new recipe - I like to ensure there are items in the dish that my family is going to eat.

This month's recipideo was for a spicy tuna pasta.
Sounded good to me.
Except I don't eat fish.
I will however eat tuna from a can, but as I just told my mother, I have to "WANT" to have that, a craving as you will. (which happens maybe 3 or 4 times a year).

The video depicted taking jarred tuna stored in oil and tossing it into the sauce.
I'll stop you right there - not eating it.  Its got chunks of fish.  Nope.  Won't do it.
The fam probably wouldn't eat it either.
How can I make this dish into something I would eat?
Meatballs - of course (light bulb pulsating above my head)

Thank you to Aurora Importing for helping my creative juices flow and allowing me to change up my pasta dish from including meat!

Why is this a mashup you ask?  Simply put - who makes tuna into meatballs?  Nough said.

Try it, enjoy it!
I'm Listening to:  Got You Where I Want You - The Fly's


Spicy Pasta with Tuna Meatballs

Meatballs:
2 cans flaked tuna, in water
2 eggs
1/2 c. or so panko breadcrumbs
1 bunch green onions, chopped
fresh cracked pepper
sea salt
zest of 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp. olive oil

Sauce
1 can spicy tomato chunks
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/3 jar passata sauce
1/2 jalapeno (optional)

With pasta of your choice.

Make your sauce first so that you have time to simmer it while you are making and forming your meatballs.
In a saucepan add your oil over medium heat.
Add in your onion and sweat them down 2 or 3 minutes.  Add in your garlic.  Cook about a minute.
Toss in your tomatoes and passata sauce (and jalapenos if using) and stir.
Simmer at least 15-20 minutes.

Now on to your fake meatballs.
Drain the tuna of all the water and add to a bowl.  To this add in the rest of the ingredients.

Mix together.
Now, take of any rings you might be wearing as its about to get fishy ;)
Take about a tablespoon size mound and as you are making it into a ball you will need to be squeezing out some of the excess liquid so that it holds together.
Place on a mat to set up.

I also rolled mine in some extra panko to give them a little crunch.
Heat up a touch of oil in a cast iron (or oven proof dish) on low/medium and place the balls in a single layer.  Turn to brown evenly, about 2-3 min per side.

Toss into a 275F oven to keep warm while your sauce is simmering and you make your pasta.