Ingredients:

For the pasta:

400g rigatoni pasta

Salt (for boiling water)

For the tomato sauce:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

700g crushed tomatoes or tomato puree

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)

Salt and black pepper, to taste

A handful of fresh basil or parsley, chopped

For the meatballs:

500g ground beef (or mix of beef and pork)

½ cup breadcrumbs

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp chopped parsley

½ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper

1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)

For baking:

250g mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated

Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:
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