A savory one-pan dish combining tender meatballs, tomato sauce, pasta, and melted cheese for a cozy meal.
# What you'll need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 14 oz ground beef
02 - ½ cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped or 1 tbsp dried parsley
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp black pepper
→ Sauce and Pasta
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
12 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
13 - 1 cup tomato passata or purée
14 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
15 - ½ tsp sugar
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
17 - 9 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
18 - 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
→ Topping
19 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
20 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
21 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
# Method:
01 - Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined, then form 16 to 18 small meatballs, about one tablespoon each.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Remove meatballs and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the onion and diced bell pepper for about 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato passata, dried Italian herbs, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Incorporate the pasta and water or low-sodium chicken broth into the sauce. Stir well to combine.
06 - Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and meatballs are cooked through. Add a splash of water if the mixture becomes too thick.
07 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the skillet. Cover and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
08 - Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve hot directly from the skillet.
