Golden Meatball Pasta Bake

A comforting one-pan pasta bake with juicy beef meatballs and golden bocconcini, made to share during the festive season.

A comforting one-pan pasta bake with juicy beef meatballs and golden bocconcini, made to share during the festive season.

Serves 4

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

AUSTRALIAN Minced Beef	500g
Garlic Cloves, crushed	3
Multigrain Breadcrumbs	1/3 cup
Egg, lightly beaten	1
Fresh Basil, finely chopped (extra for garnish)	1 tbsp
Grated Parmesan Cheese	1/3 cup
Olive Oil (divided)	2 tbsp
Brown Onion, thinly sliced	1
Carrots, coarsely grated	2
Dried Bay Leaves	2
Tomato Paste	2 tbsp
Tomato Passata	700g
Chicken Stock	1 cup
Small Dried Pasta Shells	1 1/4 cups
Cherry Bocconcini	About 110g
For the Basil Gremolata
Fresh Basil, finely chopped	1/4 cup
Garlic Clove, finely chopped	1 small
Lemon Zest	1 tsp

Cooking Method

Step 01	Preheat oven to 180°C.
Step 02	In a bowl, combine beef, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, basil and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Shape into 8 meatballs.
Step 03	Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof pan over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides for about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 04	In the same pan, add remaining oil, onion, carrot and bay leaves. Cook for 3 minutes until softened.
Step 05	Stir in tomato paste, then add passata, chicken stock and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer. Add pasta and stir well.
Step 06	Arrange meatballs on top. Cover and bake for 20 minutes or until pasta is nearly cooked.
Step 07	Top with bocconcini and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes until cheese melts.
Step 08	For the gremolata, mix basil, garlic and lemon zest in a bowl.
Step 09	Top the dish with gremolata and sprinkle extra fresh basil.
Step 10	Ready to serve.