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Hand holding a pasta casserole and spatula with casserole.

Ground Beef Pasta Bake (Balkan-Style Johnny Marzetti)

Aida
Short noodles combined with a bolognese-style sauce, topped with creamy topping and cheese, then baked. Not your average casserole!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Bosnian
Servings 6
Calories 840 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 baking pan sized 9in x 13.5 inches, or a little bigger.

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound tube pasta ziti, macaroni, penne, farfalle, rotini, or cavatappi, etc.
  • 2 tablespoons butter diced, for greasing the pan

Bolognese-style Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons oil vegetable, sunflower or coconut
  • 1 onion large, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 carrot minced
  • 1 pound ground beef or veal
  • 1 tomato skinned and diced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon basil
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon parsley or handful of fresh, minced

Coating

  • 2 eggs
  • 14 ounces heavy cream
  • salt to taste

Topping

  • 1 cup cheese parmesan, edam or gouda, grated

Instructions
 

  • Make pasta based on box directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a baking pan in which you've placed the butter. Heat oven to 480°C (230°C).

Bolognese-style Sauce

  • (Parallel to making the pasta) In a deep pan heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add carrot and simmer another 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and continue simmering for 5-7 minutes while stirring. Finally add the tomato, tomato sauce, sugar, and spices. Stir well until everything is integrated and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Coating

  • In a medium bowl, combine and whisk coating ingredients until smooth.
  • Pour bolognese over pasta and mix well. When integrated, also pour the coating and let it seep through the entire casserole. Stir if necessary.
  • Bake for 5 minutes. Lower the temperature to 390°F (190°C), and bake an additional 5-10 minutes. Take out, and add the cheese topping. Return to the oven for another 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
  • Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 6Sodium: 1447mgCalcium: 380mgSugar: 4.7gFiber: 1.8gPotassium: 768mgCholesterol: 301mgCalories: 840kcalSaturated Fat: 26.2gFat: 50.2gProtein: 46.4gCarbohydrates: 52.4gIron: 18mg
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