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–+ servings
Baked Penne Pomodoro

Baked Penne Pomodoro

Pasta and meatballs baked in Pomodoro sauce, topped with cherry tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 people
Calories 887 kcal

Equipment

  • cutting board
  • kitchen knife
  • large stockpot - for the pasta
  • large stockpot or Dutch oven - for the sauce
  • high-sided casserole dish
  • cooking spray

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups Arrabbiata or Pomodoro Sauce - see linked recipe
  • 3 Italian Meatballs - cut in half
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese - cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes - halved
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • ¼ cup basil - finely chopped
  • ¼ cup Italian parsley - finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Follow the linked instructions to make an Arrabbiata or Pomodoro sauce. Add halved Italian Meatballs to the sauce. Reserve half of the Basil used in the sauce. Simmer in a Dutch oven partially covered with a lid.
    3 cups Arrabbiata or Pomodoro Sauce, 3 Italian Meatballs
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - Pomodoro Sauce simmering in a Dutch oven with a partially closed lid
  • Fill a large stockpot ¾ with water. Set heat to high so that it will come up to a boil.
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - large stockpot full of water
  • When the water boils, add the uncooked pasta. Boil the pasta until it is cooked but still firm. It will continue to absorb liquid when we add it to the sauce. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
    2 cups uncooked penne pasta, 1 tsp kosher salt
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - add the penne pasta to a large stockpot of boiling, salted water
  • Every 15 minutes, give the sauce a good stir so that does not burn on the bottom of the pan.
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - Pomodoro Sauce with meatballs simmering in a Dutch oven
  • Cut the Mozzarella ball into 1-inch cubes. Add a pinch of kosher salt to the cheese.
    6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - salted mozzarella cut into 1 inch cubes
  • Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, and add a pinch of salt.
    1 cup cherry tomatoes
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - salted and halved cherry tomatoes
  • When the pasta is firm, strain it through a colander. Allow excess liquid to steam off.
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - cooked pasta steaming in a colander
  • Add the cooked pasta directly to the sauce.
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - cooked penne pasta added to the sauce
  • Stir the pasta into the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some beef broth. You want for the sauce to be thick enough to stick to the outside of the pasta, but thin enough to get inside.
    1 cup beef broth
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - pasta, meatballs, and tomato sauce in a Dutch oven
  • Spray a high-sided casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour the sauce and pasta into the dish.
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - pasta and sauce added to a tall casserole dish
  • Add the halved cherry tomatoes, Mozzarella cubes, the remaining chopped basil and the chopped parsley to the top of the sauce. Do not stir it in.
    1/4 cup Italian parsley, 1/4 cup basil
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and herbs added to the casserole dish
  • Add the casserole dish to the center rack of the hot oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - casserole is placed into a hot oven
  • Remove the casserole from the oven. The cheese should be melted, and the cherry tomatoes should be roasted. Let cool for a few minutes until it can be safely handled.
    Baked Penne Pomodoro - tomatoes are roasted and mozzarella is melted
  • Add pasta to shallow bowls, making sure to get meatballs, cherry tomatoes, and melted cheese. Serve with herbed garlic bread.
    Baked Penne Pomodoro

Nutrition

Calories: 887kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 3520mg | Potassium: 1143mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2388IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 586mg | Iron: 7mg
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