10-Minute Comfort Food Pasta

This hearty, layered pasta bake combines tiny Stellini pasta with a savory meat sauce and a creamy home-made béchamel for the ultimate quick comfort meal.

10-Minute Comfort Food Pasta

Ingredients:

How To Make 10-Minute Comfort Food Pasta:

Step 1: Prep and Boil: Preheat your oven to 180°C. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 500g of Stellini pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the 50g of butter over medium heat. Stir in the 15g of flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux. Slowly whisk in the 500ml of milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and a pinch of powdered nutmeg.

Step 3: Sauté the Meat Sauce: Heat a drizzle of vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add the chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing until fragrant. Add the 700g of ground meat and cook on high heat until browned. Stir in the 200g of tomato sauce and your preferred meat seasonings; simmer for a few minutes.

Step 4: Layer the Dish: In an oven-safe baking dish, spread half of the cooked pasta in an even layer. Top with half of the meat mixture, then pour over half of the béchamel sauce. Repeat these layers once more with the remaining ingredients.

Step 5: Bake and Melt: Sprinkle the 100g of shredded mozzarella evenly over the top layer. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and begins to turn golden brown.

Step 6: Rest and Serve: Allow the dish to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set so you get a perfect portion every time.