Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 Hour

Total Time: 1 Hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1lb of extra lean ground beef

• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed

• 2 tablespoons of fresh finely chopped parsley

• ½ teaspoon of onion powder

• pinch of chilli flakes

• 1oz of breadcrumbs ( can use gluten-free)

• 1 medium egg

• ¾ teaspoon of salt

• pinch of black pepper

For the pasta bake:

• Olive oil Spray oil

• 1 onion, finely diced

• 2 stalks of celery, finely diced

• 1 carrot, finely diced

• 3 cloves of garlic, crushed

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

• 5 tablespoons of tomato paste (puree)

• 400g of Plum Tomatoes

• ½ cup of passata

• 1 cup of chicken stock

• 2 teaspoons of maple syrup (or can use a granulated sweetener if you prefer)

• 9oz of uncooked pasta

• 2oz of mozzarella, freshly grated or torn pieces

• 2oz of cheddar, freshly grated

• salt and pepper

Instructions

For the meatballs:

1. Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl. Spray hand with spray oil and then form the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs. Place on a tray lined with parchment paper.

2. Place in the oven and bake at 200c, 180c fan, 400f, or gas mark 6 for 10 minutes. remove and set aside.

For the pasta bake:

1. Spray a frying pan with olive oil spray

2. Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots and fry for about 6-8 minutes until softened.

3. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning add the the tomato puree and stir until all combined.

4. Add the plum tomatoes and break them up with the back of a wooden spoon, add in the passata, maple syrup, and stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, then drop in the meatballs, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, until sauce is lovely and rich.

5. Preheat oven to 200c, 180c fan, 400f or gas mark 6

6. Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain.

7. Add the pasta to a large baking dish, pour in the sauce and meatballs, and mix with the pasta to combine.

8. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and cheddar and place in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden on top.

9. Serve and enjoy (I like to sprinkle the top with some finely chopped parsley and a pinch of black pepper (both optional).