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Ingredients
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Pasta
Marinara Sauce
Mini Meatballs
Method
Preparing the Meatballs
- 1
Mix the Meatball Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- 2
Form Mini Meatballs
Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet.
- 3
Bake the Meatballs
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for about 15-20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Making the Marinara Sauce
- 4
- 5
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- 6
Simmer the Sauce
Let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add fresh basil leaves just before serving.
Cooking the Pasta
- 7
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil.
- 8
Cook the Rigatoni
Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes.
- 9
Drain the Pasta
Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
Combining and Serving
- 10
Combine Pasta and Sauce
In the pot used for the pasta, add the marinara sauce and cooked meatballs. Stir to combine.
- 11
Serve
Serve the rigatoni marinara hot, garnished with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.