Any kind of pasta shapes can be used for this easy peasy pasta pie but macaroni gives the pie a good base. The Bolognese sauce can be made in advance so this makes a great quick supper dish.
Serves approx. 3 – me, my Mum and my Dad!
150g / 5oz Macaroni (long or short) 1 egg 50g / 2oz cream cheese 75g / 3oz cheddar cheese, grated salt and pepper to season to own taste
For the Bolognese sauce: 2 tsp Olive oil 1 small onion finely chopped 1 clove garlic crushed 250g / 9oz minced beef 400g / 14oz can chopped tomatoes 2 tsp Tomato puree 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 bay leaf salt and pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 180°. Grease a pie dish with a tiny bit of butter. 2. Next prepare the Bolognese sauce. Heat the oil in a saucepan or frying pan and fry the onion for 5 minutes until it is just soft. Add the crushed garlic. 3. Stir in the mince and cook until it goes brown. Make sure you break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. 4. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato puree, bay leaf and oregano. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 5. Whilst the sauce is simmering prepare the pasta. Cook the pasta in boiling water with a pinch of salt in it for 10 minutes or as on the packet. Drain the pasta well especially if using shapes or macaroni as the water can get trapped in the tubes! 6. Beat the egg with a fork and stir it into the cream cheese and add ½ of the grated cheese. Stir well. Season with a little salt and pepper and put it into the pie dish. 7. Spread the pasta over the base and up the side of the dish making a dip in the middle. 8. Pile the cooked Bolognese sauce into the centre. 9. Bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and bake for a further 10-15 minutes. Sometimes I like to add a crushed packet of Ready Salted crisps to the top as well to make a really crunch topping. 10. Let the pie stand for a few minutes and then cut into wedges.
Delicious! Kieron is not a fussy eater and enjoys pasta and vegetables. He has been selected to run in the London mini-marathon on the 13th April, go Kieron. It goes to prove that eating a healthy diet and exercise is a winning combination. Good luck Kieron and send us some photos and a report on your run. I bet this pasta dish helps!
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150g / 5oz Macaroni (long or short)