A reader recommended a quick, easy-to-make dish, and perfect for a family meal on a cold night.
This meal comes courtesy of Emma, whose family called this dish a casserole, as they make it in a casserole dish. Whatever you call it though – pasta bake or casserole – it’s very yummy, and was a definite hit with my kids (hubby wasn’t as keen, but he’s more of a chilli man so would’ve preferred a little more flavour).
What I loved about this recipe was that I could make it ahead of time, and then when I was away for work all the family had to do was reheat it.
Whilst the pasta was cooking, I browned the mince in a frying pan before adding the onion and garlic, and later the tomato soup and corn.
I have always disliked tomato soup and have never bought it until now for this recipe, but my family actually thought it made the bolognese sauce taste really good.
Once the pasta finished cooking I added the mince mixture to the saucepan, stirred through and then poured into a casserole dish and cooled. I then covered it and placed it in the fridge for the family to cook the following night.
Add some cheese and bake in the oven until crisp and golden.
This recipe can easily be jazzed up with additional ingredients. One reader who watched me cook this on Instagram, suggested I add pineapple pieces and peas to the dish.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C, fan forced.
- Cook pasta following packet directions, drain and return to saucepan.
- In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook mince over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until browned.
- Add onion, bacon and garlic, stir through and continue to cook for a further 3 minutes.
- Pour in soup and corn, stir through and bring to the boil and then simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Add mince mixture to pasta, toss to stir through.
- Spoon pasta mixture into a 3L capacity baking dish.
- Top with cheese.
- Bake pasta bake in oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden. Serve.
2 comments
do you reckon this would be fine to freeze?
I would freeze this meal Tamara 🙂 Kat x