Name: Make dinner a breeze with this Ricotta Meatball Pasta Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 250g penne pasta; 2 x 500g jars tomato pasta sauce; 150g fresh ricotta, crumbled; 300ml tub light thickened cooking cream; 1 egg; 1 tblsp plain flour; 1 1/2 cups grated Perfect Bakes 3 Cheese; Salad leaves, to serve; Meatballs; 500g lean beef mince; 150g fresh ricotta, crumbled; 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 tblsp chopped fresh oregano, plus sprigs to garnish; TIP: Perfect Italiano Perfect Bakes 3 Cheeses is a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. You can replace it with grated pizza cheese, if preferred.

Make dinner a breeze with this Ricotta Meatball Pasta Bake

Save up on the washing with this tasty combo.

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Serves 6

Prep

20M

Cook

45M

Total

1H 5M

Ingredients

250g penne pasta

2 x 500g jars tomato pasta sauce

150g fresh ricotta, crumbled

300ml tub light thickened cooking cream

1 egg

1 tblsp plain flour

1 1/2 cups grated Perfect Bakes 3 Cheese

Salad leaves, to serve

Meatballs

500g lean beef mince

150g fresh ricotta, crumbled

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tblsp chopped fresh oregano, plus sprigs to garnish

TIP: Perfect Italiano Perfect Bakes 3 Cheeses is a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. You can replace it with grated pizza cheese, if preferred.

Method

Step 1

To make meatballs, place all ingredients in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix with clean hands until well combined. Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls (makes about 22).

Step 2

Arrange meatballs in a single layer over the base of a lightly greased, large ovenproof dish (12-cup capacity – about 22cm x 28cm x 7cm deep).

Step 3

Cook in a hot oven (200C) for 15 minutes. Remove. Scatter pasta over meatballs. Stir in pasta sauce and 1 1/2 cups hot water. Cover with two layers of foil.

Step 4

Cook in the same oven for 30 minutes, or until pasta is just tender. Remove. Uncover and stir well.

Step 5

Whisk ricotta, cream, egg, and flour in a medium jug until smooth and combined. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over meatballs and pasta. Sprinkle with cheese. Return to the same oven.

Step 6

Cook, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, or until cheese is light golden. Remove. Stand for 10 minutes.

Step 7

Serve with salad leaves. Garnish with oregano.