Grandmother 10-Minute Comfort Dinner
Ingredients
Pasta & Meat
500 g Stellini pasta (or any very small pasta shape)
700 g minced meat (beef, pork, chicken, or turkey)
1 finely chopped onion
3 minced garlic cloves
200 g tomato sauce
Vegetable oil, for sautéing
Salt, to taste
Meat seasoning, to taste (Italian seasoning, paprika, or your favorite blend)
Béchamel Sauce
50 g butter
15 g flour
500 ml milk
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Salt, to taste
Topping
100 g grated hard mozzarella cheese
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How to Make Grandmother’s 10-Minute Comfort Dinner
Heat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the Stellini and cook until al dente according to package directions.
Drain and set aside.
Make the Béchamel Sauce
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Stir in the flour and cook for a minute, whisking until smooth (this is your roux).
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Season with salt and a pinch of ground nutmeg.
Set aside.
Cook the Meat Sauce
Heat a little vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant.
Add the minced meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
Stir in the tomato sauce and season with salt and your preferred meat seasoning.
Let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors blend.
Assemble the Dish
Add half of the cooked pasta to the bottom of the baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Spoon half of the meat mixture over the pasta.
Pour or spread half of the béchamel sauce over the meat.
Repeat the layers:
Remaining pasta
Remaining meat
Remaining béchamel
Finish with an even layer of grated mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake
Place the dish in the preheated oven.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden, melted, and bubbly around the edges.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so it sets slightly and is easier to slice or scoop.
Serve
Serve warm with:
A simple green salad
Steamed vegetables
Garlic bread on the side
It’s a complete, cozy meal that feels like a hug on a plate.
Tips & Variations
Adjust salt and seasoning to your taste.
Spread each layer evenly for balanced flavor in every bite.
Swap Stellini for any small pasta shape you have on hand.
Add vegetables like peas, corn, spinach, or finely chopped carrots to the meat sauce for extra nutrition.
Use a mix of cheeses (like mozzarella and Parmesan) for a more intense cheesy topping.
