Health

Baked Spaghetti with Minced Beef and Bacon

admin 3 min read

Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Béchamel

Ingredients

For the Spaghetti

  • Water: Enough to boil the pasta
  • Salt: To taste
  • Vegetable oil: 1 tablespoon
  • Spaghetti: 300 g (10.5 oz) or about 3 cups (dry)

For the Meat Sauce

  • Bacon: 200 g (7 oz) or about 1½ cups, diced
  • Red onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Minced beef: 700 g (1.5 lbs) or about 3½ cups
  • Salt: To taste
  • Ground black pepper: To taste
  • Sweet paprika (dried, ground): To taste
  • Dried oregano: To taste
  • Tomato sauce: 200 g (7 oz) or about ¾ cup

For the Béchamel Sauce

  • Butter: 40 g (3 tablespoons)
  • Flour: 30 g (2 tablespoons)
  • Milk: 500 ml (2 cups)
  • Salt: To taste
  • Ground black pepper: To taste

For the Topping

  • Hard mozzarella cheese: 100 g (3.5 oz) or about 1 cup, grated

Preparation

1. Cook the Spaghetti

  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
  2. Add salt and the vegetable oil.
  3. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, following the package directions.
  4. Drain the pasta and set aside.

2. Make the Meat Sauce

  1. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced bacon and cook until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
  3. In the same pan, add the chopped red onion and minced garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
  4. Add the minced beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned all over.
  5. Season with salt, ground black pepper, sweet paprika, and dried oregano to taste.
  6. Stir in the tomato sauce and the cooked bacon.
  7. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 5–7 minutes.

3. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to form a smooth paste (roux).
  3. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
  4. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.

4. Assemble the Baked Spaghetti

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F).
  2. Lightly grease a baking dish.
  3. Spread half of the cooked spaghetti over the bottom of the dish.
  4. Spoon half of the meat sauce evenly over the pasta.
  5. Pour a layer of béchamel sauce on top.
  6. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and béchamel.
  7. Finish with an even layer of grated mozzarella cheese on top.

5. Bake

  1. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
  2. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve hot straight from the oven as a main course.
  • Add a crisp green salad or a side of steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
  • Pair with garlic bread for a more filling, comforting dinner.
  • Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil over the top just before serving for extra color and flavor.

Cooking Tips

  • For extra flavor, deglaze the meat pan with a splash of red wine before adding the tomato sauce.
  • If the béchamel gets too thick, whisk in a little more milk until smooth and creamy.
  • Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5–10 minutes after baking to make it easier to slice and serve.

Enjoy!