Cheesy Keema Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• 1 onion (small, finely diced)
• 6.5 cloves garlic (minced; source states 6 to 7 cloves)
• ginger (a small knob, grated)
• 1 lb chicken mince
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 0.5 tsp oregano (part of the spices; ½ tsp each)
• 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning (part of the spices; ½ tsp each)
• 0.5 tsp onion powder (part of the spices; ½ tsp each)
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder (part of the spices; ½ tsp each)
• 0.5 tsp paprika (part of the spices; ½ tsp each)
• 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
• salt (listed with the spices; amount not specified)
• 1 can canned tomatoes (use tomatoes only; discard the juice. Can size not stated.)
• 0.5 cup stock (for the meat sauce)
• 0.25 cup cream (for the meat sauce)
• 0.5 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp pesto
• 2 tbsp butter (for the cheese sauce; equivalent to ¼ stick)
• 2 tbsp flour (for the cheese sauce)
• 1 cup milk (for the cheese sauce)
• 0.5 cup cream (for the cheese sauce)
• 0.5 cup stock (for the cheese sauce)
• 1 cup mozzarella (for the cheese sauce; additional mozzarella is called for on top, amount unspecified)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan (for the cheese sauce; extra for the top, amount unspecified)
• pasta (amount and type not stated; boil before layering)
• mozzarella (additional topping; amount not specified)
• Parmesan (a little extra for the top; amount not specified)

Steps

1. 1

   Finely dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger. Set out the chicken mince, ginger garlic paste, and spices so they are ready to add.

2. 2

   Caramelize the diced onion in a pan until soft and golden.

3. 3

   Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 2 minutes, watching carefully so the garlic does not burn.

4. 4

   Add the chicken mince and ginger garlic paste. Cook for about 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the oregano, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, smoked paprika, and salt. Cook for 5 minutes.

6. 6

   Add only the tomatoes from the can, leaving the juice behind. Add the stock, cream, Dijon mustard, and pesto.

7. 7

   Cover and cook the meat sauce over low heat for 10 minutes.

8. 8

   Uncover and cook over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, until thick but still slightly soft and not dry.

9. 9

   For the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes.

10. 10

    Gradually add the milk, cream, and stock while stirring over low heat. Continue stirring for about 5 minutes, until thickened.

11. 11

    Stir the mozzarella and Parmesan into the thickened cheese sauce.

12. 12

    Boil a pot of water for the pasta, as the creator describes doing while making the cheese sauce. Cook the pasta; the source does not specify a quantity, type, or cooking time.

13. 13

    Layer the meat sauce, cooked pasta, half of the cheese sauce, more meat sauce, and the remaining cheese sauce, in that order.

14. 14

    Top with mozzarella and a little Parmesan.

15. 15

    Broil for about 15 minutes, until the cheese topping is golden and crispy. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

The pasta amount and type are not given in the source. The amount of canned tomatoes and the amount of extra topping cheese are also unspecified. The source does not give a broiler temperature or a dish size. The creator mentions adding extra salt and spice to their own serving.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• family meal
• baby-friendly
• toddler-friendly
• baked
• broiled
• pasta
• cheesy