Chorizo Meatball Al Forno

    5m prep time
    20m total time
    Easy level
    13 ingredients

A spicy twist on a well loved classic. This recipe is the perfect opportunity to use up all those different shaped pasta packets that you might have in your cupboards. This simple recipe requires 500g of pasta and which pasta you use is entirely your choice. Penne, mixed with fusilli, mixed with rigatoni...all will work a treat. We just advise that you try to use pasta shapes which are roughly the same size. This dish is grilled right at the end, but you could also pop into into the oven for 20 minutes if easier.

Method

Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Place a large frying pan on a medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the chopped onion, chopped garlic and the chilli flakes, along with a generous pinch of salt. Turn down the heat to medium and cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions start to soften.

Step 2

Now add the chorizo sausages which should have been cut into bite size pieces. Fry for 5-6 minutes until well browned all over. Pour in the tomato passata and the dried oregano*. Add a splash of water to the jar, swish it around and pour into the sauce. Season with **salt, pepper* and a pinch of sugar if you have it. Bring to the boil, before lowering the heat and allowing to simmer for 10 minutes while you cook the pasta.

Step 3

Fill a large saucepan with boiling water and a pinch of salt and the pasta. Cook for 10 minutes before draining the pasta and stirring it through the sauce. Mix everything together well before transferring to a baking dish (you can use the pan you cooked the sauce in if it's big enough and is grill/oven proof).

Step 4

Preheat your grill to a medium heat. Dot the pasta dish with the bocconcini balls and scatter over the grated parmesan. Drizzle with a touch more olive oil and grill for 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Serve with a side salad drizzled with balsamic, if you wish.
  • Ingredients
  • Based on 4 servings
  • 0.5 tsp Chilli Flakes, or 1 tsp hot smoked paprika 1 x Sainsbury's Chipotle Chilli Flakes 45g
  • 60g Parmesan, grated 1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Grated Parmigiano Cheese 60g
  • 2 cloves Garlic, chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Garlic
  • 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar 1 x Filippo Berio Balsamic Vinegar of Modena 250ml
  • 125g Bocconcini, drained (a torn up ball of mozzarella works too) 1 x Sainsbury's Mozzarella Cheese Pearls 125g
  • Maldon Salt, to taste 1 x Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 250g
  • 2 tsp Dried Oregano 1 x Sainsbury's Oregano 12g
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 1L
  • 400g Rigatoni 1 x Sainsbury's Italian Rigatoni Tubes Pasta 500g
  • 400g Chorizo Style Sausage, each cut into 3 pieces 1 x Sainsbury's Chorizo Style Sausages, Taste the Difference x6 400g
  • 400g Tomato Passata 1 x Mutti Tomato Passata 400g
  • 1 Onion, chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Onions Loose
  • 150g Salad Bag 1 x Sainsbury's Bistro Salad 150g
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