Creamy Beef Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Bake – Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our creamy ground beef pasta recipe. This delectable dish features trofie pasta, roasted red peppers, and a heavenly blend of torn mozzarella and Parmesan. Baked to perfection, each bite is a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. Get ready to experience a mouthwatering culinary delight like no other.
There’s something undeniably irresistible about the combination of pasta and a hearty meat sauce turned into a delicious pasta bake. Imagine a bubbling casserole dish, brimming with layers of mouthwatering goodness, proudly displayed at the center of our table.
As a family, we value the time spent together at the dinner table, and I believe that enjoying a healthy, low-calorie meal doesn’t mean sacrificing the joy of sharing the same foods. That’s why I always make sure to include nutritious sides that encourage healthy eating habits for everyone. By incorporating wholesome ingredients and smart choices, we can all indulge in the same delicious spread while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
Trust me, once you experience the magic of this dish, it will become an absolute favourite, and you’ll be inspired to recreate it again and again. So gather around the table, savour the delightful flavors, and revel in the knowledge that a healthy meal can be both satisfying and enjoyed by the whole family.
Variations on the the Recipe
Bring your own unique twist to the classic Creamy Beef Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Bake with these creative variations. Customize the dish to suit your preferences and add an exciting burst of flavor to your culinary creation. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Vegetarian Option: Embrace a vegetarian lifestyle or simply explore meat-free alternatives by swapping the ground beef with plant-based ground meat. The plant-based version will provide a delicious and satisfying vegetarian option, without compromising on taste or texture.
Different Mince/Ground Meat: Experiment with various types of mince or ground meat to suit your preferences. Turkey, chicken, or pork mince can be excellent alternatives to beef, bringing their unique flavors and characteristics to the dish. Each variety will lend a distinct taste and create a delightful variation.
Additional Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a fiery culinary adventure, amplify the heat level by adding a dash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco. This extra kick will infuse your pasta bake with an irresistible zing, tantalizing your taste buds with every bite.
Additional Flavor: Explore the depths of flavor by substituting sweet regular paprika with smoky paprika. The smoky variation will impart a rich, smoldering essence, adding complexity and a touch of intrigue to the dish. However, if you prefer a milder flavor, stick to sweet paprika for a more delicate taste.
Herbaceous Twist: Elevate the freshness of your pasta bake by incorporating fragrant herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano. The addition of these aromatic herbs will infuse the dish with a burst of natural flavors, enhancing its overall appeal and providing a delightful herbaceous twist.
Added Vegetables: Amp up the nutritional value and add vibrant colors to your dish by including additional vegetables. Choose vegetables that complement the flavors of the pasta bake, being mindful of their water content. Spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, or any vegetable of your choice can be sautéed or lightly cooked before being added to the pasta bake, ensuring they retain their texture and flavor.
Unleash your culinary creativity with these variations, allowing you to personalize the Creamy Beef Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Bake to your liking. Whether you’re exploring different protein sources, enhancing the spice level, or infusing fresh herbs and vegetables, these modifications will elevate your dining experience and create a dish that truly reflects your unique tastes.
Tips for Freezing
To enjoy this scrumptious pasta bake on a busy weeknight or store leftovers for later, follow these freezing suggestions. Keep in mind that not everyone finds frozen, defrosted, and reheated pasta appealing due to its slightly overcooked texture. However, if you’re content with the outcome of frozen pasta dishes, you can confidently freeze this particular dish.
Creamy Beef Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Bake – This delectable dish features trofie pasta, roasted red peppers, and a heavenly blend of torn mozzarella and Parmesan. Baked to perfection, each bite is a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. Get ready to experience a mouthwatering culinary delight like no other.
PREP TIME: 15 mins
COOK TIME: 40 mins
TOTAL TIME: 55 mins
INGREDIENTS:
- olive oil spray
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 455g (1lb) of extra lean ground beef (mince)
- 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
- salt and black pepper
- pinch of red chilli flakes (optional)
- 200g (7oz) of roasted red peppers (jarred in brine), drained
- 1 cup (240ml) of chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste (puree)
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sweetener
- 80ml of reduced fat single cream or half and half
- 240g of trofie pasta, uncooked – or use your preferred pasta shape)
- 90g (3oz) of fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces
- 30g (1oz) of freshly finely grated parmesan
- 2 teaspoons of dried parsley
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Spray a deep ovenproof frying pan with olive spray
- Add the onion and fry for a few minutes until softened.
- Add in the mince and garlic and fry until browned.
- Season well with salt and black pepper and stir in the paprika and pinch of chilli flakes if using.
- Add the drained roasted red peppers, tomato paste, stock and sweetener to a blend and pulse until sauce like.
- Pour this into the mince along with the cream , and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Taste the meat sauce and season as needed to your desired taste with salt and black pepper
- Cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, reserve a 1/3 cup (80ml) of the cooked pasta water, then drain the pasta, spray with olive oil spray and toss to coat to prevent it from sticking together.
- Preheat oven to 170c fan, 190c, 375f or gas mark 5
- Add to the meat sauce, along with the reserved pasta water and stir until all combined and coated.
- Scatter with the torn fresh mozzarella and sprinkle inbetween with the parmesan.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until cheese on top is melted and lightly golden
- Sprinkle with the dried parsley and enjoy!!
Notes:
WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs: due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values
Gluten Free Friendly – use gluten free pasta and stock
Suitable for Freezing ❄️
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Nutritional Info:
Yield: 4
Serving Size
1 SERVING
Calories547TotalFat13gSaturatedFat7gTransFat0gUnsaturatedFat10gCholesterol66mgSodium521mgCarbohydrates54gFiber2gSugar4gProtein39g