Name: Meatball and gnocchi bake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 12 pork meatballs; 2 garlic cloves crushed; 1 tsp fennel seeds crushed; 400g tin finely chopped tomatoes; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tbsp chopped rosemary; small bunch of basil torn; 400g gnocchi; 125g ball of mozzarella; crusty bread and green salad to serve

A one-pan meatball dish with drinks in the background

2 tbsp olive oil
12 pork meatballs
2 garlic cloves
crushed
1 tsp fennel seeds
crushed
400g tin finely chopped tomatoes
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp chopped rosemary
small bunch of basil
torn
400g gnocchi
125g ball of mozzarella
crusty bread and green salad
to serve

Method

step 1
Heat the oil in a shallow ovenproof pan over a medium-high heat and brown the meatballs all over. Scoop out onto a plate.
step 2
Sizzle the garlic and fennel seeds for a couple of minutes. Tip in the tomatoes and half a can of water, and bring to a simmer. Stir in the oregano, rosemary and half the basil, then season.
step 3
Return the meatballs to the pan and cook, covered, for 10 mins. Stir in the gnocchi, cover again and cook for another 5 mins until the gnocchi is just tender. Tear over the mozzarella, then slide under a hot grill for 2-3 mins, or until melted and bubbling. Scatter over the rest of the basil and serve in warm bowls with crusty bread and salad.