Health

Baked Spaghetti with Minced Beef and Bacon

admin 3 min read

Baked Spaghetti with Bacon, Beef, and Béchamel

This oven-baked spaghetti combines al dente pasta, a rich bacon-and-beef tomato sauce, and a creamy béchamel, finished with melted mozzarella for a golden, bubbly top.

Baked Spaghetti with Minced Beef and Bacon

Ingredients

For the Spaghetti

  • Water: enough for boiling
  • Salt: to taste
  • Vegetable oil: 1 tablespoon
  • Spaghetti: 300 g (10.5 oz) / about 3 cups dry

For the Meat Sauce

  • Bacon: 200 g (7 oz) / about 1½ cups, diced
  • Red onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Minced (ground) beef: 700 g (1.5 lbs) / about 3½ cups
  • Salt: to taste
  • Ground black pepper: to taste
  • Sweet paprika (ground): to taste
  • Dried oregano: to taste
  • Tomato sauce: 200 g (7 oz) / about ¾ cup

For the Béchamel Sauce

  • Butter: 40 g (about 3 tablespoons)
  • Flour: 30 g (about 2 tablespoons)
  • Milk: 500 ml (2 cups)
  • Salt: to taste
  • Ground black pepper: to taste

For the Topping

  • Hard mozzarella cheese: 100 g (3.5 oz) / about 1 cup, grated

Step-by-Step Preparation

1) Cook the Spaghetti

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt and add the vegetable oil.
  2. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, following the package timing.
  3. Drain well and set aside.

2) Make the Bacon and Beef Meat Sauce

  1. In a large frying pan over medium heat, fry the diced bacon until crisp. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. Using the same pan, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until softened and aromatic.
  3. Add the minced beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
  4. Season with salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and dried oregano to taste.
  5. Stir in the tomato sauce and return the crispy bacon to the pan. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.

3) Prepare the Béchamel

  1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute (keep whisking).
  3. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
  4. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, then season with salt and black pepper.

4) Assemble the Bake

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F).
  2. Lightly grease a baking dish.
  3. Layer half the spaghetti, then half the meat sauce, then a layer of béchamel.
  4. Repeat with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and béchamel.
  5. Sprinkle the top evenly with grated mozzarella.

5) Bake

  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Serving Ideas

  • Serve hot with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables.
  • Add garlic bread for a more filling meal.
  • Finish with chopped parsley or basil for extra freshness.

Cooking Tip

  • For clean slices, let the baked spaghetti rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!