Easiest Ever Bolognese Pasta Bake

This Bolognese Pasta Bake is cheesy, super tasty, and extremely easy to make. It's creamy, flavourful, and perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a cheesy treat with little effort.

At one point in my life, I used to make this bolognese pasta bake three times a week. It is THAT good.

This is the kind of comfort food that makes me feel at home, even if I'm not actually at home.

Years ago, I experimented with being a digital nomad for a while, and I remember how I used to scramble through various AirBnB kitchens to find the pots and pans needed to make this recipe. 

I like this baked pasta bolognese because you can make it in bulk and have dinner for two or three nights in a row.

You can also make a large batch and freeze it to have it ready for those nights you really don't feel like cooking.

If you loved this baked bolognese pasta, be sure to check out my Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake, my delicious Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake and the super tasty Creamy Mushroom Alfredo Pasta Bake.

What kind of pasta works with this creamy bolognese pasta bake?

Unlike in the case of spaghetti al ragu, you need a form of short pasta to make this bolognese pasta bake.

I prefer fusilli, but it also works well with rigatoni, penne, and even farfalle. 

In a pinch, you could also use short macaroni — basically, any short type of pasta will do a great job at absorbing the ragu and baking beautifully.

What meat should I use for the pasta bolognese bake?

Beef mince works best for this bolognese pasta bake, but I've also made it with turkey mince, which gives it a different taste and is also a healthier option.

Use mince turkey thigh instead of the breast if possible because you'll get much more flavor.

Minced pork also works well, and you can also use a mix of beef and pork.

It ultimately depends on your preferences, but whatever you choose, try to get some quality meat if possible because you'll be able to feel its flavor with every bite. 

How do you make it?

1. To make this creamy bolognese pasta bake, start by heating some olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry the onion for a couple of minutes until slightly golden.
2. Add the beef mince and cook until brown.
3. Stir in the crushed garlic, chopped tomatoes, and stock, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.
4. In the meantime, boil the pasta in salted water two minutes less than recommended on the package. Reserve a cup of pasta water and drain. Heat the oven to 350F/180C.
5. Add the pasta to a baking dish, stir in the mascarpone cheese, 100 g grated cheddar cheese, and one ladle of reserved pasta water. Mix everything well. 
6. Pour the meat sauce over the pasta and mix everything with a wooden spoon.
7. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheddar cheese and parmesan.
8. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top gets golden.

Leftovers and storage

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the oven or microwave until thoroughly warm.
• You can freeze this bolognese pasta bake for up to 3 months. It's a great dish for freezing, making it convenient for meal prep or those evenings when you don't have time to cook from scratch.
• Thaw the pasta bake in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.

Recipe notes and tips

• This pasta bake uses a simple ragu sauce, plenty of cheese, and a rather unexpected ingredient in the form of mascarpone.
• Its purpose is to coat the pasta into a layer of creamy goodness, and the taste of mascarpone + ragu is incredible.
• Whatever you do, don't skip the mascarpone or replace it with anything else. Trust me; you'll love it.
• This recipe can easily be scaled up or down. It’s perfect for making large quantities for multiple meals or serving a crowd.
• This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for a day before baking.
• Feel free to add vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach to the sauce for added nutrition and flavor.

If you liked this bolognese pasta bake recipe, check out some of my other pasta recipes:

Tagliatelle ai Funghi (Pasta with Mushrooms)

Creamy Mushroom Alfredo Pasta Bake

Carbonara di Mare 

Easiest Ever Creamy Prawn Linguine (Linguine con Gamberi)

Creamy Spicy Chicken Pasta

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