Sausage and tomato pasta bake

Method

1. Heat a glug of oil in a large frying pan over a low-medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, then fry gently for about 8 minutes until soft (see tips). Add the tomato purée and cook for 20 seconds, stirring. Add the chilli and fennel seeds, then cook for 30 seconds, stirring. Add the wine and bubble for 1 minute.
2. Add the tomatoes, swirl the tins out with a little water, then add that to the pan too. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook gently for 45-60 minutes until thick, stirring now and then (see tips). Add the sugar and half the basil, some salt and pepper. Stir and taste.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside, drizzled in a little oil.
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4. While the pasta cooks, fry the meatballs in a little oil in a large flameproof casserole for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.
5. Add the pasta to the meatballs and pour over the sauce. Scatter over most of the remaining basil and the cheeses, then bake for 25 minutes until bubbling. Stand for 5 minutes, add the last few basil leaves, then serve with salad.