Italian Pasta Recipes - Beef and Macaroni Bake (Maccheroni e Manzo al Forno) Recipe

Ingredients                     

• 450g/1lb minced (ground) beef

• 2 onions, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 15 ml/1 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour

• 300 ml/1 1/4 cups beef stock

• 100g/4 oz mushrooms, sliced

• 10 ml/2 tsp chopped fresh mixed herbs

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 bay leaf

• 175 g/6 oz macaroni

• 50 g/2 oz/1/2 cup Parmesan, grated

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Method:

1. Place the minced beef, onions and crushed garlic in a frying pan (skillet) or deep saucepan and cook until browned.

2. Blend in the flour. Gradually stir in the beef stock and add the mushrooms, herbs and bay leaf. Season to taste.

3. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 12 minutes.

4. Remove the bay leaf from the meat and transfer the meat to a large ovenproof dish. Drain the pasta and place over the top of the meat.

5. Sprinkle over the grated cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6 for 20 minutes.