400g spaghetti
1 medium onion
1/2 cup celery
1/4 cup red bell pepper
400g ground beef
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tablesppoon tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon oregano
pinch of black pepper
2 tablespoon vinegar
salt, to taste
Bechamel sauce:
1 1/2 cups milk
30g butter (3 tbsp)
30g all purpose flour (3 tbsp)
pinch of nutmeg
2 tablespoon parmesan cheese
1 clove of garlic
for top:
200g mozarella cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Bolognese sauce: You can make your own sauce, or you can use a store-bought sauce.
In a skillet, pour the olive oil and add the onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Add the ground beef and mix everything together. Cook until the meat turns brown, Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. then season with garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and black pepper.
Cover and cook for 30 minutes, add salt, Once the sauce is ready, set it aside.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. While the noodles are cooking, prepare the bechamel suace.
In a saucepan melt the butter over medium heat.
Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste, also known as a roux. Gradually whisk the milk into the roux, a little at a time, until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
Cook the sauce over low medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a simmer.
Add crushed garlic, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using) to taste.
Continue to cook the sauce for another minute, stirring constantly, until it has reached the desired consistency. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more milk to thin it out.
(Bechamel sauce is now ready to be used. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to reheat it gently over low heat, whisking constantly, until it is hot and smooth again.)
Drain the cooked spaghetti, then add the bechamel to it, mix together and layer them in the bottom of the casserole dish.
Pour the Bolognese sauce on top of the spaghetti , making sure to spread it evenly. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese on top of the sauce.
Bake in preheat your oven to 365°F (180°C) for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Once the spaghetti casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. You can garnish the casserole with fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, if desired.
Enjoy!
