Bolognese Pasta Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible Bolognese Pasta Bake, a hearty dish that's perfect for cozy family dinners or easy meal prep. Featuring tender pasta coated in a rich, flavorful Bolognese sauce made with ground beef, aromatic garlic, and a medley of veggies like onion, carrot, and celery, this dish is elevated by layers of gooey melted mozzarella and nutty parmesan cheese. The combination of dried thyme, oregano, and a touch of beef broth adds depth and warmth, while the golden, cheesy topping creates the perfect finishing touch. Ready in just an hour, this baked pasta recipe is easy to prepare and a surefire crowd-pleaser. Serve it straight from the oven with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a restaurant-worthy dinner at home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 medium celery stalk, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 500 grams ground beef
- 400 grams canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 250 milliliters beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 300 grams pasta (e.g., penne or rigatoni)
- 150 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and lightly grease a large baking dish.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes to ensure it remains slightly undercooked. Drain and set aside.
Add the cooked pasta to the Bolognese sauce and mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy your Bolognese Pasta Bake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2854 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 192.6 g | 247% | |
| Saturated Fat | 79.0 g | 395% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 475 mg | 158% | |
| Sodium | 5787 mg | 252% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 123.6 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.9 g | 64% | |
| Total Sugars | 27.0 g | ||
| Protein | 167.5 g | 335% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 1998 mg | 154% | |
| Iron | 18.5 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 2997 mg | 64% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
