This bolognese bake is made extra delicious with the addition of two secret ingredients. It certainly is a sure-fire way to impress your family even on busy weeknights!
It's no surprise that pasta is one dish that's loved by everyone around the world. Although I don't have many pasta recipes here on the blog, delicious pasta always occupy a special place on my weekly menu. And whenever I come across an awesome pasta recipe that I really fall in love with, I just can't wait to share it with you all.
Now, probably, you might have guessed that this bolognese bake is my new favorite. I took my favorite bolognese recipe and decided on a pasta bake to make it super delicious.
Although I love ground beef in my bolognese sauce, I think this pasta bake would be so tasty with ground lamb or pork. Or maybe even with ground chicken. I really need to check it out very soon.
One thing so special about this recipe is that I've a little surprise in this dish. Not just one, two surprises to be exact. Mint leaves and a tad of tomato sauce. Mint leaves taste awesome in bolognese sauce. Try it, you'll just fall in love with the lip-smacking combo! And tomato sauce is so magical it makes everything taste better.
This bolognese pasta bake makes a great dinner when you have to feed a crowd . Just double or triple the recipe. And you might not even get any leftovers!
We're going to make this bolognese bake in three easy steps. First, cook pasta. Second, prepare bolognese sauce. And finally, layer and bake.
Ok, let's start cooking.
Before you start, preheat your oven to 180ºC.
Bolognese Bake
Ingredients
- 350 g pasta of your choice I used wholemeal spirals
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 500 g ground minced beef or pork or lamb I used beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3-4 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 large red or brown onion chopped. I used brown
- 150 g button mushrooms chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce ketchup
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste puree
- 200 g canned diced tomatoes or 3 medium tomatoes chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint leaves
- ½ cup grated parmesan or mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extra parmesan cheese to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C.
- To cook the pasta, follow packet directions. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain. Set aside. Reserve the cooking liquid.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoon oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add ground (minced) beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or until the meat is browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Add rest of the oil to the pan. Add garlic. Saute, stirring, until aromatic. Add onions, and saute again, for 2-3 minutes or until soft and translucent.
- Add mushrooms. Cook, stirring, for 4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce and canned tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Add a little of the reserved cooking liquid to make thick sauce.
- Stir in mint leaves. Add ¾ cup reserved water. Stir in fried meat. Cook, covered, for 2-3 minutes.
- Spoon one third of the sauce into a 2L ovenproof baking dish. Add half of the pasta. Add half of the remaining sauce on top. Next, add the rest of the pasta in a single layer. Add the rest of the sauce, and top with the grated cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and heated through. Garnish with extra cheese.
Notes
-If you don't like mint, substitute with parsley or basil.
Nutrition
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CHCooks says
So yummm 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
No-bake bolognese is a genius idea, Rose. Delicious share! 🙂
Traditionallymodernfood says
I'm not familiar with this dish dear, but your pics speak the beauty of the dish.
kushi says
I am in love with the recipe and clicks dear. Drooling!
Ritu Ahuja says
Lovely presentation and a innovative recipe. Love it. Yum yum 🙂