Baked Spaghetti with Minced Beef and Bacon

Ingredients

For the Spaghetti:

• Water: Enough for boiling
• Salt: To taste
• Vegetable oil: 1 tablespoon
• Spaghetti: 300 g (10.5 oz) or about 3 cups (dry)

For the Meat Sauce:

• Bacon: 200 g (7 oz) or about 1½ cups, diced
• Red onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
• Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
• Minced beef: 700 g (1.5 lbs) or about 3½ cups
• Salt: To taste
• Ground black pepper: To taste
• Sweet paprika (dried, ground): To taste
• Dried oregano: To taste
• Tomato sauce: 200 g (7 oz) or about ¾ cup

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• Butter: 40 g (3 tablespoons)
• Flour: 30 g (2 tablespoons)
• Milk: 500 ml (2 cups)
• Salt: To taste
• Ground black pepper: To taste

For the Topping:

• Hard mozzarella cheese: 100 g (3.5 oz) or about 1 cup, grated

Directions

• Prepare the Spaghetti:
  • Boil water in a large pot, adding salt and vegetable oil.
  • Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Prepare the Meat Sauce:
  • Cook the diced bacon in a large frying pan over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.
  • In the same pan, sauté the chopped red onion and minced garlic until fragrant.
  • Add the minced beef and cook until browned.
  • Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and oregano to taste.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce and cooked bacon. Let simmer for 5-7 minutes.
• Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for about 1 minute.
  • Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
  • Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Assemble the Dish:
  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F).
  • In a greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked spaghetti, followed by half of the meat sauce, and then a layer of béchamel sauce.
  • Repeat the layers, and top with grated mozzarella cheese.
• Bake:
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables.
• Pair with garlic bread for an even heartier meal.
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil for added flavor.

Cooking Tips

• Slightly undercook the spaghetti to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
• Use freshly grated mozzarella for a better melting texture.
• Coat the bacon with a little flour before cooking to make it extra crispy.