Baked pasta with minced meat and béchamel sauce

This baked pasta dish is a comforting and delicious meal that combines tender pasta with a savory ground beef sauce, creamy béchamel sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s perfect for family dinners, easy to prepare, and versatile enough to adapt to your favorite vegetables or spices. The layers of flavors and textures make this dish a standout, whether for a weeknight meal or a special gathering.

Preparation time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients:
Pasta:

200 g (about 1 cup) Ditali Rigati pasta

Béchamel sauce:

80 g (about 1/3 cup) butter
80 g (about 2/3 cup) flour
500 ml (about 2 cups) milk
100 g (about 1 cup) mozzarella cheese, grated
Meats and vegetables:

500g (about 1.1 lb) minced meat
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
100g (about 1 cup) mushrooms, sliced
1 bell pepper, diced
50g (about 3 tbsp) tomato paste
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp mixed herbs (optional)
1/4 tsp nutmeg Toppings
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