UB,
had a go at this dish - had my "pasta bake expert" resident so felt better make the best use of his time.
recipe is a keeper for me - really pleased although the cooking period was a tad fraught with the expert chipping in.
loved the mushroom and was not sure beforehand. i would make a small tweak for future based on the expert's input - that being to put it all in at the start then cook for 40 mins. i think i will also use my own version of the jarred tomato sauce (2 off tins toms blended plus 1 tsp each of dried marjoram, oregano, basil). i would add the basil leaves if fresh 5 mins before end.
recipe was made for 5 off:
onion 300g
frozen mixed pepper 100g
mushrooms 350g (glad i went for the whole tub)
2 off jar 300g asda tomato and garlic pasta sauce (see note above)
1 off 400g tin chopped toms
garlic paste 10ml
basil leaves 10 off
oregano 10 ml
paprika 5 ml
pasta 1000g (3 large handfulls were 180g)
water 1400ml
asda pork meatballs (cooked in the oven 1st, i would pan fry in future)
i made 2 off large dishes and had some left. i used the blender to mix the combined sauce and herbs.
all 5 of us were well pleased and more than exceeded expectation. many thanks UB.