Creamy Cheesy Baked Pasta

Creamy Cheesy Baked Pasta, an easy creamy cheesy one pan oven baked pasta recipe, a delicious sauce made with ground beef, a family favourite.

📝 Ingredients

• 7-9 cups cooked short pasta dried pasta ((14-17 ounces / 400-500 grams))
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 2 1/2 cups tomato puree (passata)
• 1 clove of garlic chopped
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 3 leaves fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup white sauce (store bought or homemade)
• 1 cup diced fresh mozzarella
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Pre heat oven to 350° (180°).
2. 2In a large oven proof pan or 10 inch skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and ground beef, brown, then add tomato puree, salt, basil, oregano, garlic and water stir to combine, add basil leaves and cook on medium heat, half covered until thickened (approximately 20-25 minutes).
3. 3While sauce is cooking. In a large pot of boiling salted water cook pasta al dente, (firm when you bite it) drain.
4. 4When sauce has thickened, add drained pasta and mix well to combine. Drizzle 1/2 cup of white sauce** and top first with diced mozzarella and then parmesan cheese. Bake for approximately 20 -25 minutes in a preheated 350° (180°) oven. Top with extra Parmesan if desired. Enjoy!
5. 5Either homemade White Sauce or a good store bought if you prefer.