Hey my little whiskers!
Guess what? My very first recipe is all about pasta—because who doesn’t love pasta, right? I call this beauty a Pasta Bake. Now, confession time: I have this quirky habit where, if I can’t choose between two things, I end up going for both. And that’s exactly what happened here! I couldn’t decide between red sauce or white sauce, so I used BOTH. But no, it’s not your average 'rosé'—this one’s in a league of its own. It’s kind of like a lasagna but with a fun twist, and trust me, it’s totally worth the extra steps. The taste? Amazeballs!
Ready to dive in? Let’s get cooking!
Main Ingredients:
- Penne pasta
- Grated mozzarella and cheddar
- Optional (sautéed black olives, pineapple, onions, sweetcorn, bell peppers, chicken—get creative!)
Red Sauce:
- 1 can of tomato puree or passata
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 diced onion
- 1 green chili (for those who like a little heat!)
- Dried basil and oregano
- Black pepper
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 tbsp sugar
White Béchamel Sauce:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 3 cups milk
- Black pepper
- Parmesan cheese
Step 1: Cook That Pasta!
Boil your pasta until it's al dente—perfectly tender but with a little bite. Don’t forget to generously salt the water! Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside. I like to toss it with a little butter or olive oil to keep it from sticking together.
Step 2: Red Sauce Magic
In a pan over medium heat, add your olive oil. Sauté the onions and chili lightly, then throw in the dried basil, black pepper, and tomato puree. Add salt and sugar for balance and let it cook for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The kitchen should be smelling divine by now!
Step 3: Creamy Béchamel Goodness
On low heat, melt the butter in a separate pan. Once melted, whisk in the flour until combined. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to avoid any lumps. Add black pepper and Parmesan cheese, and let it simmer until it becomes a smooth, creamy sauce.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
In a glass baking dish, start with a layer of red sauce at the bottom. Add the cooked pasta, then drizzle both the red and white sauces over it. If you’ve got sautéed veggies or chicken, toss them in too! Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella and cheddar on top, along with a little pepper for extra flavor.
Pop it in the oven at 360°F (180°C) and bake until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Serve it hot, and prepare for your tastebuds to be blown away!
Trust me, you’re gonna love this! If you try it, comment below to let me know how it turns out! 🌟
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