Baked Pasta
Ingredients
- Mutton Mince 500 grams (or chicken mince)
- Paste 500 grams
- Oil 3-4 tablespoons
- Onions 1 1/2 big sized, chopped
- Garlic paste 1 teaspoon
- Ginger paste 1 teaspoon
- Tomatoes, 3 big sized, crushed or blended
- Tomato paste/puree 2 heaped tablespoons
- Bay leaf 1
- Oregano 1 teaspoon
- Cumin powder 1 teaspoon
- Red chilli flakes 1 teaspoon (or more)
- Black pepper powder ½ teaspoon (or more)
- Salt, 2 teaspoons or to taste
- Water as needed
- Mozzarella cheese as needed
- Fresh coriander and chili flakes for garnish
Preparation
- First of all, prepare the paste by adding it to boiling water along with a little olive oil. Turn the flame off once the paste is fully cooked. Remove it from the boiling water and run through tap water. This stops it for cooking further.
- Heat oil in a pot and add the diced onions, sauté until translucent and then add the ginger and garlic pastes. Stir for a minute until aromatic.
- Add the mutton mince and stir to break up any clumps
- Cook over high heat until the mince is nicely browned and raw smell is gone.
- Add Salt, black pepper powder, cumin powder, oregano, chilli flakes, bay leaf and tomato puree/paste. Stir fry for a minute.
- Add tomatoes and a little water. Cover and cook for a good 45 minutes to an hour. Make sure to check at intervals and add more water if needed.
- When the mince is cooked, evaporate the remaining water from it.
- Preheat the oven at 180* Celsius for 20 minutes using upper and lower rod.
- Take half of this mince and mix with boiled paste.
- Now take a big rectangular dish and transfer the paste in it. Put the remaining half of the mince on the top as the second layer. Top it off with mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle some fresh coriander and chili flakes.
- Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 *Celsius for 30 minutes using lower rod only.
- Once the cheese has completely melted, turn on the upper rod and heat the cheese on top to give it a nice golden colour and a little crisp.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pasta to rest for about 15 minutes before cutting into it to ensure cleaner slices.
- Baked pasta is ready! Enjoy!