Tricolor Penne

Mezze Penne Tricolore with Beef Meatballs
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

When it comes to dishes that bring color and flavor to our table, mezze penne tricolore with beef meatballs are undoubtedly an ideal choice. This recipe will not only brighten your day, but it will also transform the atmosphere in the kitchen into an explosion of flavors and colors. Let's get to work!

### Ingredients:
- 500 g ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 bay leaves
- 100 g breadcrumbs
- 400 g canned tomatoes in puree
- 200 g fresh tomatoes, for garnish
- 150 g soft cheese (or grated parmesan)

### Instructions:

1. Preparing the meatballs: In a large bowl, add the ground beef. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, then add them to the bowl. These ingredients will give the meatballs a special flavor. Add the eggs, salt, oregano, and basil. Mix well until all ingredients are homogeneous. To achieve a pleasant texture, you can turn the onion and garlic into a paste using a food processor.

2. Forming the meatballs: With wet hands, form small meatballs the size of a walnut. You will get a lot of meatballs, so get ready for a little cooking session! It is important that they are uniform in size to cook evenly.

3. Frying the meatballs: In a large skillet, heat a little oil. Add the meatballs, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook them on each side until they become golden and crispy. This step will add a delicious texture to the meatballs.

4. Preparing the sauce: After the meatballs are fried, remove them from the skillet and keep them warm. In the same skillet, add the canned tomatoes, a little water, and the bay leaves. Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and becomes more concentrated, about 10-15 minutes.

5. Boiling the pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add salt. Cook the tricolor penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve a little of the cooking water.

6. Assembling the dish: In deep plates, place a generous layer of pasta, add the meatballs, and pour the tomato sauce on top. Grate the cheese over the warm dish so that it melts slightly. Garnish with sliced fresh tomatoes for an extra touch of freshness and color.

### Practical tips:
- Variations: You can replace the beef with chicken or turkey for a lighter option. Also, for a vegetarian dish, you can opt for vegetable or lentil meatballs.
- Serving: Serve these mezze penne tricolore with a fresh green salad and a bottle of dry white wine for a perfect dinner.
- Make-ahead: The meatballs can be prepared a day in advance and kept in the fridge. You can fry and reheat them in the tomato sauce for a quick lunch.

These mezze penne tricolore with beef meatballs are not only a visual feast but also a true delicacy for your taste buds. I invite you to try them and enjoy every color and flavor!

 Ingredients: 1/2 kg ground beef, 2 eggs, 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic, salt, oregano, basil, bay leaf, breadcrumbs, tomatoes in juice, fresh cherry tomatoes, soft cheese (or parmesan)

 Tags:  pne paste ground meat pasta with meat