Filled bacon meatballs with tomato sauce over penne pasta

As you know from today's earlier post, today is my birthday!

Usually I like to go out to dinner on my birthday, because why would I spend hours in the kitchen cooking for myself? This year is a little different though, I had a very specific craving inspired by a picture my brother posted on Facebook, and there is nowhere in town where I could get this dish better than the one I could make for myself (does this ever happen to you guys?).

So I decided to settle for cooking myself dinner, and going out for drinks and dessert later :)

Here is my delicious birthday meal:

Filled bacon meatballs with tomato sauce over penne pasta
Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 15 min

Meatballs:
1 lb lean ground beef (I used a little more, about 1.1 lbs)
1 strip of bacon, cut into little chunks
2 eggs
1 oz fat free cream cheese
1/4 cup unseasoned bread crumbs
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried parsley
1/8 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp all purpose seasoning
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Place one egg in a deep pot and bring almost to a boil. When almost boiling, remove from heat and let it cook in the hot water for 12 minutes. Allow it to cool, peel it and cut it into 8 chunks.

Separate the cream cheese into 4 equal parts, so with the boiled egg you have enough filling for 12 meatballs.

While the egg is cooking, mix the meat, bacon, bread crumbs, remaining egg and seasonings together in a large bowl. Divide into 12 equal parts. Grab each part and flatten into a circular shape. Place a piece of egg or cream cheese in the center, and roll into meatball shape.


Sauce:
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 medium onion, minced
1 strip of bacon, cut into little pieces
1/2 tsp olive oil
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar

Heat a big pot to medium-high heat. Add the oil and bacon and sautee until the bacon turns a little gold. Remove bacon from pot and add the meatballs, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.

Add the sauteed bacon, onion and garlic to the pan. Cook for about 1 minute, until the onion and garlic turn gold. Then add the tomato sauce, refill the can with water and add it in too. Throw in all the spices, stir and bring to a boil. When boiling, place the meatballs in the sauce and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let simmer for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Approximately 15-20 minutes before the sauce is done, bring water with a bit of salt to a boil in another pot. Cook the pasta according to the instructions and drain. Return the pasta to its pot and add about 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce. Stir well to coat.

Serve pasta on a deep plate with 3 meatballs. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top to finish!

We had some white wine and breadsticks with marinara sauce too. This dinner was exactly what I wanted for my birthday! The flavors came out perfect, it was great!

Bruno gives my birthday treat a:

8.6 / 10

Now I'm off to have cocktails and dessert!