Baked Pasta with Meat Sauce and Béchamel

Baked Pasta with Meat Sauce and Béchamel

Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

• 300g (10 oz) penne or ziti pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Meat Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g (1 lb) ground beef or lamb
• 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for a Mediterranean flavor)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk, warmed
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembly:

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:
   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions.
   • Drain, toss with olive oil, and set aside.
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Sauté the onion until soft, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
   • Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
   • Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon (if using), salt, and pepper.
   • Simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
3. Make the Béchamel Sauce:
   • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
   • Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to create a roux.
   • Gradually whisk in the warm milk, ensuring no lumps.
   • Cook until the sauce thickens, then stir in nutmeg (if using), Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Assemble the Dish:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Grease a large baking dish.
   • Spread half the cooked pasta in the dish, then layer with half the meat sauce.
   • Pour half the béchamel sauce over the meat sauce.
   • Repeat with another layer of pasta, meat sauce, and the remaining béchamel sauce.
   • Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
5. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
6. Serve:
   • Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before cutting into squares to serve.