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Pasta al Forno (Baked Ziti Southern Style with mini meatballs)

Irresistible Pasta al Forno with 50 Juicy Mini Meatballs


  • Author: Emma Schweitzer
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Halal

Description

A hearty baked pasta dish with mini meatballs, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 500g ziti pasta
  • 300g ground beef
  • 200g ground pork
  • 1 egg
  • 50g breadcrumbs
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 800g tomato sauce
  • 200g mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 100g grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Mix ground beef, ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and half the chopped onion in a bowl.
  4. Shape the mixture into mini meatballs.
  5. Heat olive oil in a pan. Cook meatballs until browned. Remove and set aside.
  6. In the same pan, sauté remaining onion and garlic until soft.
  7. Add tomato sauce, oregano, and basil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  8. Combine cooked pasta, meatballs, and sauce in a baking dish.
  9. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
  10. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Notes

  • Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • You can substitute ziti with penne or rigatoni.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: baked ziti, pasta al forno, meatballs, Italian pasta, comfort food