Ultimate Cheese Baked Pasta
Meat Sauce

This comforting cheese baked pasta features al dente macaroni tossed in a rich, savory beef and tomato sauce, layered with a creamy white sauce and baked under a bubbling blanket of golden mozzarella.

Ingredients

• 1 whole white onion
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 300 g minced beef
• 400 g canned diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• 250 g macaroni pasta
• 15 g butter
• 15 g flour
• 150 g milk
• 200 g shredded mozzarella cheese
• optional chopped parsley

Instructions

1. 1Dice the onion

   

   Place a white onion on a wooden cutting board and use a sharp knife to carefully dice it into small, uniform pieces.

   Tip: Cut off the root end slightly to keep the layers intact while dicing.
2. 2Boil the pasta

   

   Fill a white pot with water, bring it to a rolling boil, and add the macaroni pasta. Cook for about 10 minutes until tender.

   Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
3. 3Sauté the aromatics

   

   Heat a small amount of oil in a black pan over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing them together. Continue stirring until the onions turn translucent and the mixture becomes highly fragrant.

   Tip: Stir frequently and watch the heat closely to ensure the minced garlic doesnt burn, which could add a bitter taste.
4. 4Brown the minced beef

   

   Add the raw minced beef directly into the pan with the softened onions and garlic. Use your spatula to break the meat apart as it cooks, stir-frying until the beef is completely browned and no longer pink.

   Tip: Allow the beef to sit undisturbed for a few moments before stirring to help it develop a slightly caramelized crust.
5. 5Add diced tomatoes

   

   Pour canned diced tomatoes directly into the pan containing the cooked beef and onions, then stir to combine everything evenly.

   Tip: Simmer for a few minutes to let the tomato juices blend with the beef flavor.
6. 6Season the sauce

   

   Season the tomato and beef mixture by pouring in soy sauce and oyster sauce, then add salt and black pepper to taste. Stir the sauce thoroughly to distribute all the seasonings evenly.

   Tip: Let the sauce simmer for a minute or two after adding the seasonings to allow the rich flavors to meld together.
7. 7Combine pasta and meat sauce

   

   Transfer the cooked and drained macaroni pasta straight into the pan with the prepared meat sauce, mixing thoroughly to coat every piece.

   Tip: Ensure the heat is turned off or lowered before mixing so the sauce adheres well without burning.
8. 8Melt the butter

   

   Place a block of butter into a clean pot over low heat and allow it to melt completely while stirring with a spatula.

   Tip: Keep the heat low to prevent the butter from browning or burning before you add the flour.
9. 9Whisk in flour

   

   Add flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously to create a smooth, thick paste known as a roux.

   Tip: Whisk quickly to avoid lumps forming in the mixture.
10. 10Whisk in the milk

    

    Slowly pour the milk into the roux while whisking continuously until the mixture simmers and forms a smooth, thick white sauce.

    Tip: Whisk vigorously when pouring in the milk to prevent lumps from forming.
11. 11Mix in the white sauce

    

    Pour the prepared white sauce over the macaroni and meat mixture in the pan. Gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the rich, creamy sauce.

    Tip: Mix gently to avoid breaking the cooked pasta while combining the sauces.
12. 12Transfer pasta to baking dish

    

    Scoop the creamy meat and pasta mixture from the pan and carefully spread it evenly into an oval black baking dish, ensuring it is well-distributed across the bottom.

    Tip: Make sure the pasta is evenly spread to ensure uniform heating and melting during baking.
13. 13Add mozzarella cheese

    

    Take a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the pasta layer in the baking dish until fully covered.

    Tip: Ensure the cheese covers the entire surface so it melts into a golden, bubbly layer in the oven.
14. 14Bake the pasta

    

    Carefully slide the wire rack holding the prepared baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

    Tip: Preheat your oven properly to ensure the cheese melts and browns evenly within the 15-minute baking time.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions