Pasta Gratin with Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 Garlic clove
• 400 g mixed minced meat
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
• Salt
• Pepper (freshly ground)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 350 g Penne
• Salt
• 250 g passata tomato sauce
• Pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs
• 1 tsp sugar
• Olive oil (for the dish)
• 200 g grated mozzarella

Instructions

1. 1.

   Peel the garlic, press it into the minced meat and mix with egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Add more breadcrumbs if needed until the mixture is easy to shape. Form small balls with damp hands and brown them in a hot pan with oil for about 5 minutes on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2. 2.

   Cook the penne in boiling salted water al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain well. Season the passata with herbs, pepper, salt and sugar. Toss with the noodles and fold in the meatballs. Divide into four ramekins (or a large baking dish) and top with mozzarella. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden.

3. 3.