Okay so this is another creation from my mom...well mom and aunt. I recently hounded her in the kitchen and said I want a step by step process WITH pictures because frankly this whole "it's easy, you just do this and this and this" explanation is not enough for me to replicate. So I stood there as she went through it, taking notes and pictures (it's really not all that hard but you know when you're trying to replicate a "mom" recipe, you need to write it down to the T to ensure an effective replication).
It's a basic layered pasta dish BUT it has a wonderful bechamel sauce as its base rather than the traditional tomato, and it's just delectable. It's really nothing fancy or posh, but it's easy, yummy and most of all, comforting on these cold winter nights. (please note that I am not against cliche phrases)
Please enjoy this one with the fam or friends and it's also great for freezing prior to baking as a whole or individual meals. Look at me...I am saving you time and money....thank me later.
Ingredients - serves approx 8-10 people
2 lb extra lean ground beef
20 oz farfalle (bowtie) uncooked pasta
1 cup of shredded mozzarella & cheddar cheese
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, finely diced
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
4 cups milk
pinch of nutmeg
Directions
Set a large skillet to medium high heat. Add oil.
Add onions and garlic and cook for approx 3-4 minutes or until soften.
Add ground meat and spices and cook until brown, approx 5 minutes.
Add tomato sauce and ketchup, mix well and turn heat to low and let simmer.
Ground beef simmering away
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Fill a pot of water and set to high heat. Once boiling, add pasta and cook until al dente, approx 7-9 minutes. Drain pasta once cooked.
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In the meantime set a small pot to medium high heat and add butter, flour and slowly pour in milk and keep stirring. Add nutmeg. Once it boils, turn off heat.
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Preheat oven to 375F.
In a large casserole dish, place a layer of pasta, followed by a layer of the meat mixture, and then the bechamel. Repeat layering in this order.
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...and we're layering...
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Top it with shredded cheese.
A yummy bechamel layered pasta ready to be baked to perfection.
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Cover and cook for 25 minutes. Remove foil and broil for 5 minutes or until brown and bubbly.
A yummy baked bechamel layered pasta dish.
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Yum! Enjoy! And another recipe is coming soon, I already cooked it but I am behind on my posting. It's another Mexican delight...mmm...
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