Pasta Bake

Am at Bangalore at present, with my cousin sis who is a great cook herself. So we both had planned to make some dishes for my blog here..so it would be a good first hand learning for me...and everybody would benefit.

Being in Bangalore, always has been a great feeling, as I have spent 3 great years here...and have some really lovely memories. But when I went around..I just couldnt recognise any bit of it...I dint realise we were on 100 ft road, or I passed my school...I mean...its just so different now..! of course..10 years down what would you expect !!

Anywayz..getting back to the point, all of us here..my sister, her kids and me where in the mood for some pasta...so she suggested her sister-in-law's nameless recipe for today. We have decided to call it "Pasta Bake". Any other suggestions are always welcome.

Level: Medium
Serves: 3 to 4 people

Ingredients:
100 gms pasta (penne or any ribbed pasta), cook as per instructions
3/4 cup grated cheese
White sauce-
1 cup milk
1 tblsp all purpose flour/maida
1 tblsp butter
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Red sauce-
1 tblsp oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
8 - 10 garlic pods, finely chopped
250 gms minced meat (i used chicken kheema)
1.5 tsp oregano
1.5 tsp red chilly flakes
4 medium tomatoes, pureed
Salt to taste
1 tsp sugar
3 tsp tomatoes, pureed

Method:
Step 1 - Lets make some white sauce. Take a small pot. Add in butter. When it melts, add in the all purpose flour and cook it a bit, stirring continuously. Do not let it change color. Add in the milk gradually, stirring continuously again. Add in some salt and pepper and cook till it slightly coats the back of your spoon.Keep aside.

Step 2 - Now lets move to the red sauce. Take a flattish pan, add some oil. When that heats up, add in the garlic and onions. Saute till onions turn slightly brown. Then add in your minced meat and stir well till it gets partially cooked. Add in the tomato puree, salt, oregano and red chilly flakes and mix it well. Once it is cooked completely, add in the tomato ketchup and sugar. Mix well.

Step 3 - Add in the cooked pasta and mix well till the red sauce coats all of the pasta.

Step 4 - Take a baking dish. Pour half of the red pasta and spread it well. Then pour over the white sauce and try to spread it around. Then pour in the remaining red pasta. Spread grated cheese on top and bake in a preheated 200 deg C oven till the cheese melts and slightly changes color, which should take about 10 mins.

Serve with some garlic bread...

If you like it spicy, add in a dash of chilly sauce over it, or sprinkle it with some red chilly flakes...or some pepper while digging into it.