Cheesy Pasta Casserole | Pasta Bake

Yummy, Super, Cheesy Pasta Casserole made only for you Guys!!!

This is a pre-ramadan recipe idea!

Hope you all will loved it!

Watch the video recipe below to understand better how to make it!

Cheesy Pasta Casserole 

INGREDIENTS:

Beef Mixture:

• 380g minced beef
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 200g canned tomato
• 3 tbsp oil
• 2 tsp italian seasoning mix
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, crushed
• 3/4 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 tsp red chili crushed
• 1 tbsp ketchup, optional

Penne Pasta:

• 500g penne pasta
• boiling water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oil

Bechamel Sauce:

• 50g unsalted butter
• 50g cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 tsp salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 1 cup milk

Garnish:

• Dried basil leaves
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded (as needed)

DIRECTIONS:

Pasta Preparation:

1. Cooked pasta in boiling water then add salt and oil. Mix well. 
2. Cook for 13 minutes or as written in the instructions.
3. Drain water.

Beef Mixture:

1. In a wok or a pan heat oil. 
2. Add garlic and fry for 1 minute on medium heat.
3. Add chopped onion and fry until soft. 
4. Add salt and black pepper. Mix well.
5. Add minced beef. Stir and cook well for 5 minutes or until it turns into a brown color.
6. Add italian seasoning mix and canned tomato. Mix well.
7. Cover and let simmer on low heat for 15-17 minutes.
8. After that remove lid. Turn heat to high and fry for 5 minutes.
9. Add parmesan cheese and red chili flakes. 
10. Taste and if needed add more salt, italian seasoning and ketchup.
11. Turn off heat and set aside.

Bechamel Sauce Preparation:

1. In a small pan heat butter until melted.
2. Add flour and mix well until there is no lumps.
3. Add salt and black pepper. Mix well.
4. Pour milk and grated cheddar cheese. Mix until all cheese is melted and it turns into a thick consistency. 
5. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assemble:

1. With the help of a spatula mix well cooked pasta and beef mixture.
2. In a large casserole or deep vessel spread a layer of bechamel sauce.
3. Add half of the pasta/beef mixture. 
4. Add more bechamel sauce then place on top some grated mozarella cheese.
5. Then layer it with the rest of the pasta, bechamel sauce and more grated mozarella cheese.
6. Lastly sprinkle some dried basil leaves.
7. Bake in pre-heated oven 180°C for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
8. Serve warm!