Pasta Bake with Minced Meat
AI-generated image
German

Pasta Bake with Minced Meat

A comforting German-style pasta bake layered with tender pasta, savory minced beef in a paprika-scented tomato sauce, and a bubbling cheese topping. It is hearty enough for a family dinner and practical for make-ahead cooking.

60 min 4 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Heat the oven to 200°C. Lightly grease a 23 × 33 cm baking dish and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2
Cook the pasta in the boiling water until 2 minutes short of the package timing, about 8–9 minutes. Drain well; do not rinse.
3
While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cut the onion into small dice, mince the garlic, and sauté both for 4–5 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
4
Add the minced beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until no pink remains and the meat reaches 74°C. Season with paprika, half the salt, and the pepper.
Minced beef browning with onion and paprika in a skillet AI-generated image
5
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens enough to coat a spoon.
6
Mix the drained pasta with the beef sauce, then transfer it to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
7
Spread the sour cream over the pasta, sprinkle the grated Gouda evenly on top, and bake for 18–20 minutes until bubbling at the edges and deeply golden in spots.
Golden bubbling cheese topping on a pasta bake AI-generated image
8
Rest the bake for 8 minutes so the sauce settles, then spoon into portions and serve hot.

Why this recipe works

Briefly simmering the beef sauce concentrates its paprika and tomato flavor, while the creamy sour cream topping keeps the pasta moist beneath a browned, savory cheese crust.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool leftovers within two hours, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The assembled unbaked casserole can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.

How to reheat it

Reheat covered in a 180°C oven for 15–20 minutes, or microwave individual portions until steaming hot throughout. Add a splash of water if the pasta seems dry.

Nutrition / serving

891kcal
54.55 gprotein
67.40 gcarbs
45.55 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 9 Aug 2026 · updated 13 Aug 2026

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