Method

Before You Begin

Prepare your ingredients & cooking utensils: Use a chopping board and lay all the ingredients out. Take out any “Pantry Items”. Preheat the oven to 200°C, and bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil for use in Step 1.

Washing Instruction

Wash your hands and cherry tomatoes well.

Gino's Tip

Salting your water is the only opportunity to season your pasta uniformly.

Step 1 - Penne Pasta

Cook your penne pasta in your large saucepan once the water has come to the boil. Drain through a colander and reserve until later.

Step 2 - Bacon Wrapped Meatballs

Roll your meatballs into mini logs and then wrap each meatball with a slice of bacon. Lay on a lightly oiled oven tray and pop into the oven for 8-12 minutes until browned and cooked through. Reserve to serve and set your oven to grill.

Step 3 - Beefy Tomato and Peas

Heat a large casserole pan over med-high heat, add a drizzling of olive oil and your sliced onion, saute for 8-10 minutes until soft and translucent before adding your peas, beef stock and a dash of water. Cook for 2-3 minutes then add your halved cherry tomatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 4 - Cheesy Gratin Penne

Mix together your penne pasta along with your cheese sauce, transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle over your grated mozzarella and vegetable spice, pop into the oven on grill for 5-6 minutes. Keep an eye on your pasta bake so that your cheese doesn't singe or burn.

To Serve

Divide your cheesy gratin penne amongst your servings top with your beefy tomato peas and bacon wrapped meatballs