Direction

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined.

3. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Place the meatballs in the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are browned on all sides. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet.

5. While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

6. Grease a large baking dish with olive oil. Place the cooked pasta in the dish and pour the marinara sauce over the top. Use a spoon to mix the sauce and pasta together.

7. Place the cooked meatballs on top of the pasta and sauce mixture. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.

8. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

9. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious meatball pasta bake (pasta al forno)! Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley for added flavor and presentation.