Savory Chinese Pasta Bake
Discover a delightful twist on traditional pasta with this savory Chinese Pasta Bake. A hearty dish featuring a rich tomato-based sauce, flavorful meatballs, and layers of pasta, it's a filling meal that stands out with its unique blend of Italian and Chinese influences.
Ingrediënten
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 can 12 oz. tomato paste
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp. basil
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 medium-sized onion chopped
- 1 tsp. salt
- Dash of pepper
- 2 or 3 Italian sausage links optional
Meatball Ingredients:
- ½ lb. lean ground beef
- ½ cup cracker or bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- Pinch of oregano
- Pinch of basil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
- Vegetable oil for frying
Pasta Ingredients:
- 8 oz. mostaccioli or rigatoni noodles uncooked
- 1 quart sauce see above
- 25 to 30 small meatballs see above
- 1 or 2 hard-cooked eggs sliced
- ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
- Dash of grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
Instructies
For the Sauce:
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a Dutch oven.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add water if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Remove the lid about 15 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
- It should be heavy and smooth.
For the Meatballs:
- Mix all meatball ingredients (except oil) in a large bowl.
- Roll about 1 tbsp.
- of the mixture between your palms to create meatballs about ½ inch in diameter.
- Brown meatballs in a frying pan with about ½ inch of oil or bake in a shallow pan at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Assembling the Pasta Bake:
- Boil noodles according to package directions and drain.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In an 8x8-inch baking dish or cake pan, layer ingredients: a small amount of sauce, followed by noodles, meatballs, and egg slices.
- Add another layer of sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese.
- Reserve some sauce for pouring over each portion after baking.
- Sprinkle with Romano or Parmesan cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until bubbling and heated through.
- Allow the Chinese Pasta Bake to cool slightly before cutting into squares for serving.
- Pour the remaining sauce over each serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Wine Pairing:
Complement the bold flavors of this Chinese Pasta Bake with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti. Its acidity and fruity notes will enhance the overall dining experience. Cheers to a fusion of flavors!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
