Meatball Pasta Bake

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 10 1/2 ounces penne
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 1/2 ounces fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 roasted red peppers, chopped (from a jar will do)
• 14 ounces tomato and basil pasta sauce
• 2/3 cup beef broth or 2/3 cup red wine
• 2 ounces fresh breadcrumbs
• 3 1/2 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

Recipe

• 1 set the oven to 350°f.
• 2 cook the pasta in boiling water for 10 mins until just tender but still with a little bite.
• 3 mix together the beef, egg, oregano, 1oz of the breadcrumbs and season well with salt and pepper.
• 4 mix well and shape into about 20 meatballs.
• 5 heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the meatballs for about 10 mins, turning occasionally until browned.
• 6 add the red pepper, pasta sauce and the beef broth or red wine. bring to the boil.
• 7 stir the drained pasta into the meatballs and pour into a large baking dish.
• 8 sprinkle with the breadcrumbs, mozzarella and thyme and bake until golden and bubbling.
• 9 serve with a large green salad and crusty bread.