Four Cheese Baked Macaroni

Ingredients

• 400 g macaroni
• 300 g minced beef
• 300 g minced pork
• 2 pcs 400 g can chopped tomatoes Italian Blend
• 1/2 cup good beef stock
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• handful basil, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
• freshly ground black pepper
• olive oil
• salt
• mozzarella cheese, adjust amount to your liking
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, parmesan, etc.)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Cheese Sauce ---

2. 2

   In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

3. 3

   Add the flour to the melted butter and stir constantly for about 2 minutes until the mixture turns into a roux (light brown colour)

4. 4

   Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.

5. 5

   Continue to cook and stir the mixture until it thickens, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.

6. 6

   Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the sauce and stir to combine.

7. 7

   Add the grated cheese to the sauce and stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Set it aside.

8. 8

   --- Baked Macaroni ---

9. 9

   Cook macaroni according to packet instructions, once cooked drain then set aside.

10. 10

    In a pan add olive oil then sauté garlic and onions.

11. 11

    Add beef and pork mince and cook until light brown in colour.

12. 12

    Add chopped tomatoes, beef stock, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano and chilli flakes. Simmer for 20 minutes.

13. 13

    Season with salt and pepper.

14. 14

    Combine together macaroni and meat sauce, mix it evenly then layer it with cheese sauce on a baking dish. Make 3 layers of pasta and 3 layers of cheese sauce, making the last layer as the cheese sauce.

15. 15

    Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in a 180C preheated oven for 20 minutes, increase the temperature to 220C then continue to bake for 7-10 more minutes or until top is bubbly and partly turning golden brown.

16. 16

    Remove from oven then let it cool before serving.