Friday, February 6, 2009

Oooyee Gooyee Baked Macaroni


Servings: 4

Ingredients:
  • Macaroni - 1 lb(450 gm)
  • Minced/ground Beef - 1 lb (450 gm)
  • Canned Tomato puree - 2 lb can (1 kg)
  • Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup
  • Shredded Italian cheese blend (provolone, mozzarella, romano, asiago, fontina) - 2 cup
  • Onion - 1 lrg, chopped finely
  • Celery - 1/2 cup, chopped finely
  • Capsicum - 1, chopped finely
  • Ginger root - 1 inch, grated finely
  • Chili powder - 1 tsp
  • Nutmeg powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Sugar - 2 tsp (optional)
  • Black pepper - 1 tsp
  • Salt - to taste
  • Italian/flat leaf parsley - 1 cup, chopped
Methods:
  • 1. In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp of oil. Add the ginger, saute to infuse the oil with the ginger. Add the minced beef, salt and pepper. Saute till the meat turns brown.
  • 2. Add the chopped onions, celery, capsicum and saute for 3-4 min, till the vegetables soften a little.
  • 3. Add the tomato puree, nutmeg, chili powder and 2 cups of hot water. Simmer, covered, on medium heat for 30-35 min, stirring occasionally to avoid any burns at the bottom.
  • 4. Once the sauce has thickened and reduced by 1 cup of the added water, add the dry macaroni to the sauce. Stir to combine. The sauce at this stage should still be quite thin for the macaroni to absorb the flavours. If it seems too thick then add 1/2 cup of hot water. Check for seasoning, simmer on medium heat for about 15 min.
  • 5. Meanwhile preheat you oven to 375F (190C) . Spray a oven proof casserole dish with some oil spray, pour the entire contents of the sauce-macaroni. Carefully stir in, the sugar, 1 cup of the mixed Italian cheese blend and the Parmesan cheese.
  • 6. Bake for 30 min. Take the dish out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of the mixed cheese blend on top of the macaroni and bake for 10-15 more min, or till the cheese melt and starts to bubble.
  • 7. Let it rest for 5-10 min and then serve topped with the chopped parsley.

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