Ingredients
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 onion, chopped
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2 celery ribs, chopped
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4 slices bacon, finely chopped
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5 button mushrooms, chopped
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1 lb lean ground beef
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1/2 cup red wine
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1 tablespoon tomato paste
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1 (7 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
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1 sprig fresh thyme
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2 cups dry penne pasta
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1 1/4 cups milk
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2 tablespoons butter
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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1 cup diced mozzarella cheese
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4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
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salt and pepper
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fresh basil leaf (to garnish)
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1 garlic clove, crushed
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1 carrot, diced
Instructions
- Fry the onion, garlic, carrot and celery in the olive oil until softened.
- Add the bacon and fry for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms, fry for 2 minutes, then fry the beef until brown.
- Add the wine, tomato paste, 3 tablespoons water, tomatoes and the sprig of fresh thyme; bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 F; Cook the pasta.
- Meanwhile, place the milk, butter and flour in a saucepan; heat gently, whisking until thickened.
- Stir in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and season.
- Drain the pasta and stir into the cheese sauce; uncover the Bolognese sauce and boil rapidly for 2 minutes.
- Spoon the sauce into a casserole; top with the pasta mixture and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden; Garnish with basil and serve hot.