The dish in the image appears to be a baked pasta casserole, resembling a cross between lasagne and a baked ziti. Here’s a long and detailed recipe for recreating this delicious meal:
Italian Baked Pasta with Meat Sauce and Bechamel
Ingredients (Serves 8-10)
For the Meat Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1 cup tomato puree or passata
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup water or beef stock
For the Bechamel Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk, warmed
- A pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta and Assembly:
- 500g (1 lb) short pasta (rigatoni, ziti, or penne)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)