Description
Jamie Oliver’s Hearty Beef Pasta Bake combines rich ground beef with comforting pasta and a robust tomato sauce. Italian-inspired ingredients create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (17.6 oz) minced beef
- 300 g (10.6 oz) penne pasta
- 400 ml (13.5 fl oz) tinned chopped tomatoes
- 3 tbsps tomato puree or tomato paste
- 1 carrot
- 1 celery stick
- ½ red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried fennel
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook penne to al dente perfection, drain thoroughly, and reserve in a large mixing bowl.
- Oven Calibration: Set oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / 400°F for optimal baking environment.
- Vegetable Preparation: Finely chop celery, onion, carrot, and garlic into uniform pieces to enhance flavor distribution and cooking consistency.
- Aromatic Base: Sauté onions in olive oil until translucent, then add garlic and cook briefly to release intense aromatics.
- Meat and Herb Fusion: Brown ground beef while incorporating dried basil, thyme, oregano, and fennel. Introduce tomato paste to create a rich, deep flavor profile.
- Sauce Development: Fold in chopped tomatoes, carrots, and celery. Simmer until vegetables soften and sauce thickens, concentrating the robust Mediterranean flavors.
- Combining Elements: Merge beef sauce with cooked pasta, ensuring complete ingredient integration and even coating.
- Final Assembly: Transfer mixture to baking dish, top generously with shredded cheese for a golden, melted crust.
- Baking Finale: Roast in preheated oven until cheese transforms into a bubbling, bronzed topping, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Serving: Rest for 5 minutes, then present the piping hot pasta bake, allowing the aromatic blend of herbs, meat, and cheese to tantalize the senses.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta precisely al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain ideal texture during baking.
- Herb Harmony: Use fresh herbs if possible for more vibrant, intense flavor profiles compared to dried alternatives.
- Cheese Coating: Choose a melting cheese like mozzarella or cheddar for maximum golden-brown, crispy top layer.
- Resting Ritual: Allow dish to rest 5 minutes after baking to help flavors settle and make serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg