Pasta and Beef Casserole

Preparation Time: 20 minutes; Total Cooking Time: 50-60 minutes; Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 Jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
• 500g (1 Ib) ground beef (minced beef)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ cup crushed tomato or Italian strained tomatoes
• 1 cup sweetcorn kernels
• 1 cup green peas
• ½ cup good quality red wine 
• ½ cup broth (stock)
• ½ cup 10% cream (half and half)
• Salt to taste
• 400g (14oz) short Pasta of your choice
• 1 to 2 cups grated mature cheddar and mozzarella or other cheese of your choice

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC) ten minutes before using.
2. In a large frying pan, cook the bacon until browned. Add the onions and Jalapeño and cook until soft.
3. Add the ground beef and cook over hight heat for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink and nicely browned.
4. Add the paprika and cook a further one minute.
5. Stir in the crushed tomato, corn, green peas and red wine and cook a further 5 minutes. Add the broth and cream, and season with salt. Remove from the heat.
6. Meanwhile boil macaroni in plenty of salted water as per packet instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a 9 x 13-inch pyrex dish. Add the beef and mix thoroughly.
7. Top with the grated cheese. Bake 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and browned on top. Serve immediately.

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