Mini Meatball Pasta Bake

Mini Meatball Pasta Bake – perfect for a weeknight, a comforting meal

So last night I made the Italian soup with mince and pasta, and I had the other half of the kilo of mince and the other half of the pasta left.

Well not to be outdone I subjected the family to mince and pasta again, this time with a Mini Meatball Pasta Bake. I got the idea from Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman) but I used my own spice blends in both the meatballs and the sauce, just following her method. No doubt you will make your own favorite meatball/frikkadel/kebab if you do decide to try out the recipe which was darn good.

Ingredients:
The Meatballs
500 gr each sausage and beef mince
1 tsp seasoned salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 small red onion grated
1 tbsp chopped coriander
1 tbsp chopped mint
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp red chili paste
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp thyme
¼ cup grated Parmesan,
1 beaten egg,
¼ cup oats
Little milk

Mix to combine and form mini meatballs.

For the Sauce
Olive oil, as needed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups boiling water mixed with 1 chicken stock cube
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp oregano
¼ cup fresh basil and parsley

Layering:

500 gr pasta
2 cups fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Method:
To brown the meatballs, heat some olive oil in a heavy pot or large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the meatballs in batches and cook, turning, until brown, 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels after each batch. Set the meatballs aside.
For the sauce: In a separate skillet or pot, heat some olive oil.
Add the garlic and onion and cook until translucent, a few minutes.
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, hot stock, oregano, basil and parsley, sugar and some salt and pepper.
Add the meatballs and stir to combine.
Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Set aside.

For the layering: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Cook the pasta to Al dente according to the package directions.
Drain and set aside.

To assemble the Mini Meatball Pasta Bake:
Spoon some sauce (without meatballs) on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch dish.
Layer on half of the pasta, half the sauce and meatballs, and then half the mozzarella cubes.
Repeat the layers once more and top the dish with the grated Parmesan.
Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes.

Prepared, tried, and tested Melanie Kramar

Hop over and come and join our two FB Recipe Groups:

The Recipe Hunter: Tried and Tested Recipes From Home Chefs

TRH Tried and Tested Recipes From Home Chefs

and then we also have our SA Tasty Recipes – Saffas Daily Recipes for South African and Ex-pats.

If you’re looking for some eBooks with wonderful recipes, please visit Recipe eBooks for all your eBook needs. Some ideas of what we have available, but you will find more available, so please hop over. Once you purchase a book, it’s an immediate download to your Email Inbox, so no need to wait for the mailman.