The ultimate comfort dish, this dish is loaded with tender, juicy meatballs, rich, savory sauce, and layers of gooey, melted cheese in every bite. It’s warm, hearty, and irresistibly satisfying, with a perfect balance of flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
INGREDIENTS
Homemade Meatballs
- 1 kilogram Ground Beef
- 1 tbsp Garlic, chopped finely
- 2 tbsp White Onion, chopped finely
- 1 tsp Ground Basil
- 1 large Egg
- ½ cup Fresh Bread Crumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
Baked Pasta
- 500 grams Penne Pasta
- 2 cups Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups Crushed Tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Garlic, chopped finely
- 2 tbsp Onion, chopped finely
- 1 tsp Ground Basil
- ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese, grated
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese, grated
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
PROCEDURE
- Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius.
- Start with the meatballs. In a mixing bowl, put the ground beef, onions, chopped garlic, egg, ground basil, and fresh breadcrumbs. Mix everything together. Season it with salt and pepper. Pour some parmesan cheese. Press the mixture using your hands.
- Prepare a baking tray and add a little oil.
- Start shaping your meatballs.
- Bake the meatballs in the oven for 12-15 minutes.
- Set them aside. Let them cool.
- Boil water using medium heat. Once boiling, pour some oil. Cook the pasta until al dente or according to the package.
- Prepare the pasta sauce. In a frying pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions. Sauté for one minute and avoid burning it. Add the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, ground basil, and parmesan cheese. Mix everything and simmer it for 10 minutes using low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer again for 2 more minutes.
- To assemble, put the pasta into the baking pan and pour the tomato sauce all over the pasta. Mix well until the pasta is coated with sauce. Arrange the meatballs on top. Add grated cheese all over the pasta.
- Bake the pasta in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly brown.
- Serve warm.
