Description
Jamie Oliver’s hearty pasta bake brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen. Robust ground beef mingles with rich tomato sauce and melted cheese, creating a satisfying meal that promises warmth and flavor in each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 500 g (17.6 oz) minced beef
Pasta:
- 300 g (10.6 oz) penne pasta
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 carrot
- 1 celery stick
- ½ red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried fennel
Tomato Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons tomato puree or tomato paste
- 400 ml (13.5 fl oz) tinned chopped tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the penne pasta according to package instructions, ensuring it reaches al dente consistency. Drain thoroughly and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Calibrate the oven temperature to 200°C / 180°C fan / 400°F for optimal baking conditions.
- Meticulously dice the celery, onion, carrot, and garlic into uniform, small pieces to promote even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet or Dutch oven. Sauté the onions until translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 60 seconds, allowing the aromatics to bloom and intensify.
- Incorporate ground beef into the skillet, browning thoroughly while breaking down any large clusters. Sprinkle dried herbs – basil, thyme, oregano, and fennel – to infuse the meat with robust Mediterranean flavors.
- Stir in tomato paste, creating a rich base, then add chopped tomatoes, carrots, and celery. Simmer the mixture until vegetables become tender and sauce thickens, roughly 10-12 minutes.
- Transfer the hearty beef sauce to the bowl with cooked pasta, gently folding to ensure complete integration of ingredients.
- Migrate the combined mixture into a prepared baking dish, creating an even layer. Generously crown the surface with shredded cheese for maximum coverage.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, appetizing crust, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes, then serve immediately while piping hot and gloriously aromatic.
Notes
- Customize your cheese selection with mozzarella, Parmesan, or cheddar for a delicious melty topping.
- Mix in extra vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, or tomatoes to boost nutrition and use up refrigerator leftovers.
- Select lean ground beef to keep the dish healthier, though fattier options work if you prefer more flavor.
- Cook ground beef thoroughly, ensuring no pink remains before transferring to the baking dish for the final preparation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg