Meatball Pasta Bake: An Italian Classic with a Modern Twist

Meatball Pasta Bake: A Classic Italian Dish with a Twist

Pasta al forno, or baked pasta, is a classic Italian dish that combines the flavors of pasta, meatballs, and a rich tomato sauce. This comforting and versatile dish can be customized to suit your preferences, making it a perfect choice for a family meal or a special occasion.

Ingredients

For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the pasta:
- 1 pound pasta, such as penne or rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 chopped onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the topping:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. To make the meatballs, combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Form into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
3. While the meatballs are cooking, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
4. To make the tomato sauce, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
5. In a large baking dish, combine cooked pasta, meatballs, and tomato sauce. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips

- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and ground pork for the meatballs.
- You can also add other vegetables to the tomato sauce, such as chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- If you don't have crushed tomatoes, you can use diced tomatoes instead. Just be sure to simmer the sauce for longer to allow it to thicken.
- Pasta al forno can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven before serving.

Variations

- To make a vegetarian version of this dish, simply omit the meatballs.
- You can also use different types of pasta, such as spaghetti or ziti.
- For a creamy twist, add 1 cup of heavy cream to the tomato sauce.
- To add some spice, stir in 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.