Name: Make comfort food unforgettable with this Mac ’n’ Cheese Bolognese Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 large onion, finely chopped; 1kg lean beef mince; 2 x 500g jars bolognese pasta sauce; 410g can crushed tomatoes; 3 tsp dried Italian herbs; Salad leaves, to serve; TOPPING; 300g pasta curls; 75g butter, chopped; ¹⁄³ cup plain flour; 3 cups milk; 2 cups grated Perfect Bakes 3 Cheeses

Make comfort food unforgettable with this Mac ’n’ Cheese Bolognese Bake

This crowd-pleasing bake is perfect for cosy nights in.

Skip to Recipe

Serves 6

Prep

15M

Cook

45M

Total

Ingredients

1 large onion, finely chopped

1kg lean beef mince

2 x 500g jars bolognese pasta sauce

410g can crushed tomatoes

3 tsp dried Italian herbs

Salad leaves, to serve

TOPPING

300g pasta curls

75g butter, chopped

¹⁄³ cup plain flour

3 cups milk

2 cups grated Perfect Bakes 3 Cheeses

Method

Step 1

Grease a large ovenproof dish (14-cup capacity).

Step 2

Heat a lightly oiled, large, deep frying pan over a high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 3-5 mins, until soft and light golden. Add beef. Cook, stirring to break up mince, for about 10 mins, until well browned.

Step 3

Stir in sauce, tomatoes, herbs and ½ cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 15 mins, or until thick. Transfer to prepared dish.

Step 4

TOPPING: Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water until tender. Drain. Melt butter in same large saucepan over a medium heat. Add flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 min. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, whisking, until sauce boils and thickens. Stir in 1½ cups cheese and pasta. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Spoon topping over beef mixture in dish. Spread evenly. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Step 6

Cook in a 200°C oven for 20-25 mins, or until golden.

Step 7

Serve with salad leaves.

New Idea Food

For more than 90 years, New Idea has inspired and delighted Australians of all ages with their trusty home-cooked ideas and helpful tips. Today, the talented team in the New Idea Test Kitchen still create the much-loved recipes, hacks, and know-how on everything food.