Creamy Beef Pasta Bake

1Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

2Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3While pasta cooks, heat butter (2 tablespoons) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion (1 medium) and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.

4Add minced garlic (2 cloves) and diced bell pepper (1 medium) to the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until peppers soften.

5Add ground beef (300 g) to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt (½ teaspoon), black pepper (¼ teaspoon), smoked paprika (½ teaspoon), and chili flakes (¼ teaspoon) if using. Stir well to combine.

6In a medium bowl, whisk together cooking cream (150 ml), tomato sauce (100 ml), mayonnaise (1 tablespoon), ketchup (1 tablespoon), hot sauce (1 teaspoon), and eggs (2 large) until smooth and creamy.

7Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture. Pour the creamy sauce over the pasta and beef, stirring gently to combine everything evenly.

8Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

9In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs (100 g) with grated Parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons) (if using) and olive oil or melted butter (2 tablespoons) until the crumbs are evenly coated.

10Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta bake for a crispy topping.

11Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.

12Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the bake to set slightly.