Introduction
A dear friend from Italy shared this incredible recipe, and it’s truly one of the best dinners I’ve ever had! ❤️🇮🇹 This creamy, cheesy, meaty spaghetti bake combines rich tomato sauce, crispy bacon, and a silky béchamel sauce for an unforgettable, comforting dish. It’s perfect for family dinners, date nights, or anytime you crave an Italian classic with a unique twist!
📋 Ingredients
For the Pasta & Meat Sauce:
300 g spaghetti 🍝
200 g bacon, chopped 🥓
1 red onion, finely chopped 🧅
3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
700 g minced beef 🥩
200 g tomato sauce 🍅
Salt & black pepper, to taste 🧂
For the Béchamel Sauce:
40 g butter 🧈
30 g flour
500 ml milk 🥛
Salt & nutmeg, to taste
For Topping:
Parmesan or mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra creaminess!) 🧀
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the spaghetti until al dente (about 1 minute less than package instructions).
Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.
In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic in the bacon fat for 2–3 minutes.
Add the minced beef, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until browned.
Stir in the tomato sauce, reduce heat, and simmer for 10–15 minutes.
3. Make the Béchamel Sauce:
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
