Instructions
1. Prepare the meatballs:
Place the ground meat in a large bowl. Add the egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, paprika powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well until you have a uniform mixture.
Form small meatballs (about 2–3 cm in diameter).
Heat olive oil in a pan and brown the meatballs on all sides until golden. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
2. Cook the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Make the sauce:
In the same pan used for the meatballs, heat a little olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
Add the tomato passata, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to develop the flavors.
Stir in the cream to make the sauce nice and creamy.
4. Assemble the bake:
Mix the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce and place in a large baking dish.
Evenly distribute the meatballs on top.
Sprinkle grated cheese over everything for a golden, bubbly crust.
5. Bake:
Bake the dish in a preheated oven at 180 °C (356 °F) top/bottom heat for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Conclusion:
This meatball pasta bake is a fantastic, hearty meal for any occasion. It’s easy to prepare, filling, and packed with flavor.
The combination of tender meatballs, savory tomato sauce, and creamy cheese makes this dish a real family favorite.
Enjoy your meal!
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