Baked Penne with Meatballs, Mozarella and Marinara Sauce

I am a big fan of “Come Dine With Me” and watch it every chance I get.  On the Manchester South episode an Italian Man called Gio cooked a dish very similar to this one.  I looked for the recipe online but wasn’t able to find it so I recreated it from memory. 

Ingredients:

1 x bag Penne Pasta, cooked and drained
20 x Meatballs, already prepared

1 x Teaspoon Garlic, chopped

2 x Teaspoons Mixed Herbs, Dried

1 x Teaspoon Sugar

3 x Tablespoons Oil

1 x Box Passata (Italian sieved Tomatoes)

1 x Ball Mozzarella, chopped

6 x Slices Pepperoni, Sliced into 4

6 x Tablespoons Crème Fraiche

Method:

For the Marinara Sauce:

Heat the oil, add the onion and gently fry for 5 mins.

Add the garlic and herbs.

Add the box of Passata.

Bring to the boil then reduce heat.

Add the teaspoon of sugar.

Allow to simmer.

Assemble the dish:

Place the cooked and drained pasta into a casserole dish.

Place the meatballs in amongst the pasta (randomly)

Place the mozzarella and pepperoni in (randomly)

Top with dollops of crème Fraiche.

Pour the Marinara sauce over the pasta.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake for 20 mins.