Baked Stellini Pasta with Meat
1. Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Properly preheating ensures that the dish will bake evenly, giving you a perfectly browned and bubbling top layer.
2. Cooking the Stellini Pasta
Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook the Stellini pasta following the instructions on the package, typically until it reaches an al dente texture. This means the pasta should be firm to the bite without being too soft. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
3. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce
To make the smooth and creamy béchamel sauce, begin by melting 50 grams of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add 15 grams of flour and whisk continuously until it forms a paste (known as a roux). The roux should cook for a minute or two to remove the raw taste of flour.
Gradually add 500 milliliters of milk, while whisking, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue stirring the mixture until the sauce thickens to a silky smooth consistency. Season the béchamel sauce with salt and a pinch of nutmeg to add depth of flavor. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
