Pasta, Mushroom and Béchamel Sauce Casserole: A Soul-Warming Recipe

This casserole is the perfect combination of a tender meat sauce, creamy béchamel with a slight nutmeg tinge, and melty cheese. A hearty portion of this dish will be a real treat after a hard day, giving comfort and warmth.

The aroma that fills the kitchen during cooking is simply incredible, and the casserole itself will impress with its rich taste.

To prepare the casserole, you will need the following ingredients:

For the meat sauce:

1 onion (approximately 160 g);

300 g mushrooms;

4 cloves of garlic;
1 tablespoon of fresh basil;
2 tablespoons of oil;
500 g of minced meat;
1 teaspoon of oregano;
1 teaspoon of sweet paprika;
½ teaspoon of marjoram;
½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper;
salt and pepper to taste;
1 can of tomatoes (approximately 400 g);
1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
For the béchamel sauce:

30 g of butter;
30 g of flour;
500 ml of milk;
½ teaspoon of nutmeg;
salt and pepper to taste;
Additionally:

300 g of pasta;
125 g of mozzarella.
Preparation

Cut the onion and mushrooms into crescents about 2 mm thick, and chop the garlic. Chop the green basil finely as well.

Heat the oil in a frying pan, then add the onion and fry until it becomes transparent.

Then add the mushrooms and fry until golden brown (about 3-4 minutes). Add the minced meat and cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and spices —oregano, paprika, marjoram, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper — to the mixture. Mix well.

Then add the canned tomatoes and tomato paste, mix, and bring to a boil. Finally, add the basil and remove from the heat.

For the béchamel sauce, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the flour and fry until lightly golden. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

When the sauce thickens, season it with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Boil the pasta until al dente.

Pour a little béchamel sauce on the bottom of an ovenproof dish, put half of the pasta and meat sauce on top, then repeat the layers.

Sprinkle with grated mozzarella on top.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30-40 minutes.

Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving, garnishing with fresh basil.

A delicious and aromatic casserole is ready to serve! This is an excellent dish for a family dinner that both adults and children will enjoy.