Stellini Pasta Gratin with Meat Sauce

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6

Introduction:

Looking for a cozy and comforting meal? Stellini Pasta Gratin with Meat Sauce is a perfect blend of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy béchamel topped with golden mozzarella. This dish is easy to make and is sure to impress your family and guests alike with its delicious layers of flavor.

Ingredients:

500g Stellini pasta (or any small pasta like macaroni or shells)
50g butter
15g flour
500ml milk
100g mozzarella cheese, grated
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
700g minced meat (beef, pork, or a combination)
200g tomato sauce
Vegetable oil
Salt, to taste
Dried ground nutmeg, to taste
Meat seasoning, to taste

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the Stellini pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
In a skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion and garlic until translucent.
Add the minced meat, breaking it apart as it browns. Season with salt, meat seasoning, and nutmeg.
Stir in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes until the flavors meld.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the flour. Gradually add the milk, whisking until the béchamel sauce thickens.
Stir half of the grated mozzarella into the béchamel sauce until melted, seasoning it with salt and nutmeg.
In a large baking dish, layer the cooked pasta, followed by the meat sauce, and then the béchamel sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Let it cool slightly before serving.

Conclusion:

This Stellini Pasta Gratin with Meat Sauce is the ultimate comfort dish, with its gooey cheese topping and savory layers of meat and pasta. It’s perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Enjoy it fresh out of the oven for the best flavor!

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