Chuck Spy Ghagin il-forn

Maltese Baked Pasta

This is my version of the classic Maltese baked pasta. I will be in trouble for adding so many vegetables, as they are not traditional in my family. Feel free to leave them out if you want pure comfort food.

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus a little extra to grease the baking dish

1 onion, chopped

1 teaspoon garlic, chopped (minced from jar is fine)

4 rashers bacon, chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 red capsicum, diced (optional)

1 zucchini, diced (optional)

500gm beef mince

700 gm passata

2 teaspoons sugar

pinch of curry powder (optional)

salt + pepper

500gm penne

4 eggs, beaten

125 ml (.5 cup) milk

.5 cup cheesy salt or grated parmesan (see note)

1 cup frozen peas (optional)

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan.

Sauté bacon, onion and garlic over medium heat for 5 minutes.

Add capsicum and zucchini (if using) and sauté for a further 5 minutes.

Add beef mince and brown, breaking up any lumps with a spoon.

Add passata, oregano, sugar, curry powder (if using) and salt and pepper to taste. Put a small amount of water - maybe half a cup - into the empty passata jar, shake it to mix the water with all of the sauce left on the inside of the jar, then pour that mixture into the pan.

Bring to the boil then turn down the heat to a simmer.

Cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Cook penne according to the directions on the packet, then drain it.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Beat the eggs and milk together.

Spread a little olive oil over the base of a 3 litre deep baking dish (see note).

Add the cooked penne to the meat sauce, along with the beaten egg/milk mixture, frozen peas (no need to defrost) and most of the cheese. Save approximately 2 tablespoons of cheese to put on the top of your baked pasta.

Stir everything together well.

Pour mixture into your baking dish.

Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top.

Bake in oven for 45 minutes.

NOTES

Cheesy Salt

Cheesy salt is what we call the grated parmesan cheese that you find on the shelf near the dried pasta. It is a cheaper option than the parmesan you find in the fridge.

Baking Dish

I used this Pyrex 3 litre deep dish. Currently on special at Woolies for $12.95.