Baked Macaroni & Meatballs

This is a really simple, yet tasty pasta & meatballs dish. It is a variation to the classic spaghetti & meatballs combination. This dish uses macaroni as the pasta base and also includes mozzarella to add the cheesy finish. The meatballs are a combination of pork and beef mince which blend beautifully together. They are browned in the pan before placed on a bed of cooked macaroni which is mixed through with diced tomatoes and pasta sauce. The meatballs are then generously topped with mozzarella before being baked in the oven to create a wonderful melted cheese cover. A simple yet really satisfying meal that will fill you up and put a smile on your face.

Ingredients:
• 300 g Macaroni Pasta
• 400 g Diced Tomatoes 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups Pasta Sauce
• 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Fresh parsley chopped to garnish

Pork & Beef Meatballs
• 500 g Pork & Beef Mince I buy the combo mix from the supermarket
• 1 Egg whisked
• 1 Brown Onion diced
• 2 cloves Garlic crushed
• 1/4 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp All Spice
• 1 tsp Ground Oregano
• 1 tsp Ground Basil
• 1/8 tsp Ground Nutmeg
• Salt to season
• Pepper to season
• 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil

Instructions:
1. Pre-heat a fan forced oven to 190°C (375°F).
2. Spray a medium to large baking dish with non-stick spray.
3. In a large bowl, add beef & pork mince, egg, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, all spice, oregano, basil, nutmeg, salt & pepper.
4. Use your hands to mix and combine all ingredients.
5. Roll mixture into approx 18-20 meatballs. Each meatball will be roughly golf ball sized.
6. Cook macaroni pasta according to packet directions
7. While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat.
8. Add meatballs to pan and cook until browned on all sides. Set aside
9. Once pasta is cooked, drain water from saucepan then add diced tomatoes & pasta sauce to the macaroni. Stir to mix through.
10. Pour macaroni & tomato mixture into the baking dish.
11. Place meatballs in the baking dish on top of the macaroni.
12. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of the meatballs.
13. Place in oven and cook for about 10 - 15 minutes or until cheese has melted.
14. Garnish with parsley and serve.

For pictures & more follow the link below:
Baked Macaroni & Meatballs

bon appetit