Wasfetna

Baked pasta with cheese

Pasta in tomato sauce with minced meat, baked under mozzarella and parmesan until browned.

Baked pasta with cheese
Cooking time
1 hr 11 min
Hands-on time
39 min
Free time
22 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
Italian
Calories
720
Contains
Gluten, Dairy

A family-sized tray that can be made ahead. The pasta is boiled two minutes short of done because it finishes cooking in the oven, and cooking it fully turns it to mush. Then ten minutes' rest before cutting so each piece comes out whole.

Before you start

  • Before you beginRead the steps completely, measure the ingredients, and prepare the tools before turning on the heat or oven.
  • Timing the servingPrepare what you can in advance and leave the final touches until serving time to maintain the texture.

Ingredients

4people

Amounts follow the number of people

For the pasta

For the sauce

When doubling the quantity, use a wider container, and gradually increase the salt and seasoning after tasting.

Shopping list

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling — Plenty of water, salted like the sea — that is all the seasoning the pasta gets.
  • Wide frying pan — The sauce thickens in it before it meets the pasta.
  • Baking dish — Wide enough for one layer so the cheese browns in patches.

Method

  1. Boil plenty of water and salt it well until it becomes as salty as seawater.

    8 min
    You’ll know it’s ready when

    The water is at a rolling boil and the salt has dissolved.

    Tip: One tablespoon of salt per liter — this is the only time you season the pasta itself.

  2. Sauté the onions and meat until browned, then add the sauce and oregano and let it thicken.

    15 min
    You’ll know it’s ready when

    The sauce is thick, not watery.

  3. Boil the pasta until two minutes short of done, and keep a little of its water.

    8 min
    You’ll know it’s ready when

    The center is still clearly firm.

    Tip: Pasta finishes cooking in the oven — boiling it completely gives a doughy texture.

  4. Stir the pasta with two-thirds of the sauce, spread it out in a baking dish, and distribute the rest and the cheese.

    8 min
    You’ll know it’s ready when

    The cheese covers the entire surface.

  5. Bake at 200° until the cheese melts and browns in spots.

    22 minYou can walk away
    You’ll know it’s ready when

    The surface is golden and there are bubbles at the edges.

  6. Leave it for ten minutes before cutting.

    10 minYou can walk away
    You’ll know it’s ready when

    The piece comes out intact.

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