Easy bolognese pasta bake

This tasty bolognese pasta bake is perfect for feeding a crowd, and a great last-minute dinner option.

Packed with flavour, yet simple enough to whip up in minutes, this recipe uses beef mince, mushrooms and bolognese pasta sauce sprinkled with ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan.

To really take things up a notch, make your own bolognese pasta sauce with this easy recipe and keep any leftovers in the fridge for the next time you’re making pasta.

INGREDIENTS

• 350g large pasta shells
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 250g button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 500g beef mince
• 575g jar bolognese pasta sauce
• 1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 200g fresh ricotta
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• 1/2 cup parmesan, finely grated

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 200C.
2. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water for two minutes less than the recommended packet directions. Drain.
3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
4. Cook mushroom for 5 minutes. Add beef mince and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in pasta sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Stir in pasta and parsley. Season. Lightly crumble over the ricotta and stir to combine.
7. Spoon pasta into a 3L, 20cm x 30cm over-proof baking dish.
8. Sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.