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Italian-Style Baked Pasta with Creamy Meat Sauce: A Recipe to Savor

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!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 –6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g pasta penne, rigatoni, or fusilli
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 raw sweet red pepper diced
  • 600 g minced meat beef, pork, or mixed
  • 2 tomatoes chopped
  • 1 leek stalk thinly sliced
  • 40 g butter
  • 20 g flour
  • 500 ml milk
  • 100 g hard mozzarella cheese grated
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Add the red pepper and tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Make the béchamel sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in the flour, then slowly adding milk while stirring until smooth and thick.
  5. Combine everything in a baking dish: layer the pasta, meat sauce, and béchamel, then top with grated mozzarella.
  6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  7. 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.