Lamb Meatball Pasta Bake

Ingredients

Lamb Meatballs

• 500 g lamb mince
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp BlixSam Smoke Craft Spice
• 1 tsp BlixSam Garlic Melt
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pasta Bake

• 300 g penne or rigatoni pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups tomato passata or pasta sauce
• 1 cup beef or lamb stock
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C.
2. Cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a bowl, combine the lamb mince, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, Smoke Craft, Garlic Melt, salt and black pepper.
4. Roll into 18–20 small meatballs.
5. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides. Remove and set aside.
6. In the same pan, sauté the onion for 3–4 minutes until softened.
7. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
8. Stir in the tomato passata, stock, oregano and basil. Simmer for 5 minutes.
9. Return the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for another 8–10 minutes until cooked through.
10. Combine the cooked pasta with the meatballs and sauce, then transfer to a greased baking dish.
11. Sprinkle over the mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
12. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden and bubbling.
13. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

BlixSam Tip

• Garlic bread
• Greek salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Iced tea
• BlixSam Yanky BBQ Sauce drizzled over the meatballs for a smoky BBQ twist