Description
Spaghetti Bake brings Mediterranean comfort straight to your kitchen, blending rich tomato sauce with perfectly layered pasta and melted cheese. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this classic dish a delightful meal you’ll savor with every comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Protein:
- 200 g (7 ounces) bacon, chopped
- 700 g (24.7 ounces) minced beef
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta & Sauce:
- 300 g (10.5 ounces) spaghetti
- 700 g (24.7 ounces) tomato sauce
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Bechamel Sauce & Topping:
- 40 g (1.4 ounces) butter
- 30 g (1 ounce) flour
- 500 ml (16.9 fluid ounces) milk
- Salt, to taste
- Nutmeg, to taste
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Mozzarella cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook spaghetti until perfectly tender yet firm, approximately 1 minute less than package recommendations. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature. Render bacon until crisp and golden, then remove from pan. Utilize the rendered bacon fat to sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Brown the meat thoroughly, breaking it into small crumbles during cooking.
- Pour tomato sauce into the meat mixture, reducing heat to low. Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop depth.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour, creating a smooth roux and cooking for precisely one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Gradually stream milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until the bechamel sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season with salt and a delicate pinch of nutmeg.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Select a large baking dish and combine cooked spaghetti, rich meat sauce, and creamy bechamel. Ensure even distribution of sauces throughout pasta.
- Generously sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella cheese across the surface, creating a luxurious cheese topping.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and cheese becomes bubbly and slightly crisp.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve piping hot for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Cook spaghetti just shy of package instructions to achieve the ideal al dente texture, preventing mushy noodles.
- Use bacon fat for sautéing onions and garlic, adding depth and richness to the meat sauce that elevates the entire dish.
- Whisk continuously while adding milk to prevent lumps, creating a silky smooth sauce that binds the ingredients beautifully.
- Swap Parmesan or mozzarella with alternatives like pecorino or a blend of cheeses to suit dietary preferences or pantry availability.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg