It has been quite hectic getting into the hustle and bustle of the New Year. Everyone should be back at work and (with a sigh of relief) the kids are back at school as well.
That has to be the one thing I dread most of a New Year, the poor little monsters that has to now adapt once again to a new year at school. Whether it is a toddler like mine, or first graders or even having a teen going to high school for the first time – it always seems like the mommies take it harder than the kids.
This recipe of Mince and Pasta Bake is the perfect meal to prepare for that back-to-routine kind of days. It’s ridiculously easy and totally mouthwatering and will surely cure the aches of hungry tummies after a hard day at school and work.
Why do I love it? (Because I totally love it) Enjoying delicious pasta and mince with creamy béchamel sauce, cheese and herbs baked in the oven – comfort me in a way that a piece of fish would never do!
Another great thing about this Mince and Pasta Bake recipe is that you can use up leftover mince or even chicken from the previous day. Low on pasta? Don’t even sweat it – mix all the leftover pastas together and clear up your grocery cupboard for once. I promise – it still tastes divine.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
| Prep Time | 10 min |
| Cook Time | 30 min |
| Servings | people |
- 500 gr lean beef mince
- 1 onion peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 15 ml olive oil
- 5 ml spices for mince
- 1 can peeled and chopped tomatoes
- 400 gr cooked pasta any kind will do
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 80 gr butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- salt and black pepper to season
- pinch paprika
- fresh rosemary
Ingredients
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- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic, add the mince and spices and cook until done.
- You can add a little water to the mince to prevent burning, add the canned tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and set to simmer.
- Melt the butter in a microwavable bowl, whisk the flour in and add the milk – return to the microwave until your white sauce thickens, whisking every now and then to prevent lumps
- When the mince and the pasta are cooked, mix the two together with the béchamel sauce (white sauce) in an oven proof dish.
- If the mince is too saucy, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to the oven proof dish. But the more sauce the better!
- Top with grated cheese, fresh rosemary and paprika.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 – 15 minutes, or until the cheese start to bubble.
