Description
A rich, one-dish baked spaghetti layered with slow-cooked ground beef, vibrant tomato sauce, and a trio of melting cheeses. This modern casserole blends sharp Cheddar, smoky Red Leicester, and Parmesan, topped with golden garlic bread for a satisfying, no-nonsense family meal.
Ingredients
Ground Beef – 500g (80-85% lean)
Onion – ½ cup chopped (white or yellow)
Garlic – 2 large cloves (minced)
Celery – 1 cup chopped
Bell Peppers – 1 cup chopped (any color)
Carrots – 1 cup chopped
Tomato Paste – 2 tbsp (for deep red color)
Canned Tomatoes – 14 oz crushed or diced
Cheddar – 1 cup grated (sharp variety)
Red Leicester – 1 cup grated (smoky depth)
Parmesan – ½ cup grated (freshly grated preferred)
Non-alcoholic Worcestershire Substitute – 1 tbsp (e.g., soy sauce + apple cider vinegar)
Chili Flakes – 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
Beef Bouillon Cube – 1 (halal-certified, alcohol-free)
Bay Leaves – 2
Garlic Bread – 2 slices (torn into bite-sized pieces)
Olive Oil – 1 tbsp (for sautéing)
1 tbsp flour (optional, for sauce blending)
Instructions
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet until shimmering
Add chopped onions and sauté for 2 minutes until translucent
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant
Add celery, bell peppers, and carrots; cook for 5 minutes until softened. Incorporate 1 tsp oil for richness
Crack in ground beef and cook for 4 minutes, breaking it into small pieces
Add non-alcoholic Worcestershire substitute, chili flakes, and cook for 2 minutes until beef is fully browned
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bouillon cube, and 500ml boiling water
Place bay leaves in the mixture and simmer for 30 minutes, adding water as needed
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti 1 minute under al dente (about 2–3 minutes shy of package instructions)
Drain pasta, mix with simmered beef sauce, and layer in an ovenproof dish
Top with torn garlic bread and cheeses (Cheddar, Red Leicester, Parmesan). Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden
Let rest 10 minutes before serving
Notes
Position dish on lower oven rack to prevent cheese over-browning
Check pasta texture 5 minutes into baking time and add moisture if needed
For a cornstarch-free sauce texture, blend 1 tbsp flour with 2 tbsp of sauce before layering
Pre-layer in individual ramekins for easy servings
Cheese substitute idea: Swap Red Leicester with smoked Gruyère if unavailable
Use halal-certified bouillon cube and ensure ingredients are alcohol-free
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Pasta Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Modern Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (250–300g)
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g