Description
This rich and creamy baked pasta is packed with layers of savory meat sauce, tender pasta, and a velvety béchamel, all topped with golden, bubbling mozzarella cheese. A true Italian-inspired comfort meal, perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Simple ingredients, big flavors—once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 raw sweet red pepper, diced
- 600g minced meat (beef, pork, or mixed)
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 leek stalk, thinly sliced
- 40g butter
- 20g flour
- 500ml milk
- 100g hard mozzarella cheese, grated
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce by sautéing the onion, garlic, and leek in a pan with a little oil. Add the minced meat and cook until browned.
- Add the red pepper and tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Make the béchamel sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in the flour, then slowly adding milk while stirring until smooth and thick.
- Combine everything in a baking dish: layer the pasta, meat sauce, and béchamel, then top with grated mozzarella.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Serve warm and enjoy a comforting, cheesy, and hearty Italian-style meal!
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, let the meat sauce simmer longer before layering.
- Swap mozzarella for parmesan or cheddar for a different cheese flavor.
- To make this vegetarian, replace meat with mushrooms, lentils, or eggplant.
- Leftovers taste even better! Store in an airtight container and reheat in the oven.
- Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired