Name: Easy pasta al forno recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 packet penne pasta; 500g beef mince; 1 onion, chopped; 1 large clove garlic (or 2 small), chopped; 3 tbs olive oil; 3/4 cup red wine; Sprinkle of oregano; 1/2 bottle of tomato passata; 1 cup water; 500ml milk; 1 tbs flour; 2 tbs butter; 1 cup of grated tasty cheese; 1/4 cup of grated parmesan; 1/4 tsp chilli flakes; 1 egg

by LizC Last updated on 03/02/2020

This easy to make pasta bake will be the star of the dinner table! Make enough and you’ll even have leftovers the next day. - Australia's Best Recipes Team

Ingredients

1 packet penne pasta

For the sauce

500g beef mince
1 onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic (or 2 small), chopped
3 tbs olive oil
3/4 cup red wine
Sprinkle of oregano
1/2 bottle of tomato passata
1 cup water

For the bechamel

500ml milk
1 tbs flour
2 tbs butter
1 cup of grated tasty cheese
1/4 cup of grated parmesan
1/4 tsp chilli flakes
1 egg

Method

Step 1

To make the beef sauce (ragu), heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan or pot that you can cover with a lid.
Step 2

Add the chopped onion and garlic and saute until golden. Stir in mince and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Pour half the wine and cook until it has absorbed.
Step 3

Add tomato passata, salt, pepper and oregano. Stir, then top with water to cover the mixture. Bring to boil then reduce heat and leave to simmer, stirring occasionally. When the water has reduced a little, add the remainder of the wine. Stir and leave to simmer until it becomes a saucy consistency.
Step 4

Meanwhile, prepare the bechamel sauce. Place butter into a saucepan. Once melted, stir in flour and cook for about a minute. Add milk and stir until combined. Continue stirring while it comes to a boil and thickens. Add salt, pepper and chilli flakes. Turn off the stove and add the grated cheese and parmesan, stirring to combine. Cover and leave to cool down.
Step 5

Boil the penne pasta until al dente. Drain, then stir in the beef sauce.
Step 6

Once the bechamel sauce is cool, crack an egg and add to the bechamel sauce. Mix well. Add the bechamel sauce to the pasta and mix well.
Step 7

Grease a baking tray or pyrex dish and pour the pasta mix into it. Sprinkle with parmesan and bake at 200C for 30 minutes or until the top has browned. Remove from the oven and cool. Once set, cut into squares.