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A close up look at a casserole of creamy pasta.
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4.75 from 4 votes

Creamy Pasta Bake

Creamy pasta with fragrant saucy ground beef mix and topped with béchamel layer. A delicious one pot pasta inspired by the classic Greek comfort dish know as pastitsio.
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time1 hr
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Diet: Halal
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 347kcal
Author: Amira

Equipment

  • 1 Oven safe deep skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 can (15oz) tomato sauce
  • dash of cinnamon about ⅛ tsp
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 pound pasta of choice

For the white sauce:

  • 6 Tablespoons butter
  • 5 cups milk
  • 6 Tablespoons flour
  • Dash of nutmeg about ⅛ tsp
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • ⅓ cup table cream optional

Instructions

  • In a deep skillet that goes into the oven, heat oil on medium high heat and sauté onions until translucent.
  • Add ground beef and brown until no longer pink.
  • Add spices, tomato paste and tomato sauce mixing everything well. Taste to adjust seasoning.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour in boiling water and mix in dry pasta.
  • Let the mixture boil the reduce heat to medium-low, cover and let it cook for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile let's make the white sauce:

  • Warm milk in a microwave safe measuring cup or bowl for a couple of minutes.
  • In a pot over medium heat melt butter then add flour and whisk until flour changes color to yellow.
  • Gradually pour in milk while whisking until you get a smooth mixture with no lumps.
  • Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Keep stirring until the mixture gets hot and bubbly. Turn heat off.
  • Turn heat off on pasta dish then uncover.
  • Mix the ingredients well to redistribute the tomato sauce.
  • Pour the white sauce over the pasta and level the surface.
  • Put the cream in a cup and mix with a spoon to get it creamy, then distribute liberally over the white sauce layer.
  • Place the skillet in your oven and cook for 20-30 minutes until the top browns lightly.

Notes

  • If you do not have a big skillet that goes into the oven you can pour the pasta mixture in a 13x9 oven safe dish then pour the white sauce over and proceed with baking.
  • To store:
    • Place leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.
  • Make ahead:
    • Bake and let the dish cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap, then tightly wrap in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • To Reheat:
      • Let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Remove plastic wrap, cover with aluminum foil and reheat in a 300°F oven until thoroughly heated.

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 775mg | Potassium: 554mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 448IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 2mg