Italian-Inspired Spaghetti Bake with Creamy Meat Sauce
A friend from Italy shared this with me, and honestly — it might be the best dinner I’ve ever eaten. Rich, savory meat sauce meets velvety béchamel, all wrapped around perfectly cooked spaghetti. Comfort food doesn’t get better than this.
🛒 Ingredients:
For the pasta & meat sauce:
300 g spaghetti
200 g bacon, diced
1 red onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
700 g minced beef
200 g tomato sauce (passata or any good-quality sauce)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Olive oil, for cooking
For the béchamel (white sauce):
40 g butter
30 g flour
500 ml milk
Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
🍝 How to Make It:
1. Cook the spaghetti:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until just shy of al dente (it’ll finish cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
2. Make the meat sauce:
In a large skillet, add a little olive oil and cook the bacon until it starts to crisp.
Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, then add the minced beef. Cook until browned and crumbled.
Pour in the tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer gently for 10–15 minutes while you make the béchamel.
3. Make the béchamel sauce:
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux (don’t let it brown).
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Let it simmer gently until thickened, about 5–7 minutes.
Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if using.
4. Assemble it all:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a large mixing bowl (or right in the pot), toss the spaghetti with the meat sauce.
Layer into a greased baking dish.
Pour the béchamel over the top, spreading evenly. For extra indulgence, top with grated cheese (mozzarella or Parmigiano!).
5. Bake:
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbling and slightly golden on top.
🍷 Serve With:
A simple arugula salad with lemon & olive oil
Garlic bread or crusty Italian rolls
A glass of red wine (Chianti if you’re going full Italian mode)
💡 Tips:
You can prep everything in advance and bake just before dinner.
Add mushrooms or chopped bell peppers to the meat sauce for extra flavor.
Swap bacon for pancetta for a more traditional Italian twist.