Baked Penne with Meatballs

Mushroom Marinara:

• 2 tsp olive oil
• ½ yellow onion diced
• 8 oz of button or cremini mushrooms sliced thinly
• 3-4 cloves of garlic chopped finely
• 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp fennel seeds crushed
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1 pinch of red pepper flakes
• sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 7 button mushrooms diced finely
• ¼ sweet yellow onion diced finely
• ¼ cup of Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• 1 egg well-beaten
• 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
• ½ tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• ½ tsp fennel seed crushed
• sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp olive oil for cooking

Other Ingredients:

• penne pasta prepared per instructions
• 1 cup of mozzarella cheese shredded
• ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese shredded
• 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped