Cheesy Baked Pasta

Steps

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1. 1
   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add 400g of pasta weighed raw, and cook for 11 minutes until al dente. Drain and let sit in the sink.
   ▶ ≈0:07
2. 2
   Dice 250g each of onions, carrots, and celery into fine pieces. Finely chop 2-3 cloves of garlic.
   ▶ ≈0:39
3. 3
   Add 14g of olive oil to a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt. Slowly cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become translucent and start to caramelize.
   ▶ ≈1:28
4. 4
   Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside. Add another 14g of oil and the 1000g of ground beef. Leave it untouched for about 1 minute to brown on one side, then season with salt and black pepper, flip, and brown the other side for another minute. Break up the meat with a spatula.
   ▶ ≈2:20
5. 5
   Push the meat to the side, add 2g of oil and the chopped garlic to the empty space, cook for about 30 seconds. Stir, then add 20g of concentrated tomato paste and stir until the meat is fully coated and turns red, about 1 minute.
   ▶ ≈2:52
6. 6
   Add back all the vegetables and 700g of passata. In a bowl, combine 500g of water, 25g of stock powder, and 15g of dry gelatin, then add to the pan. Stir well, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and continue simmering for another 10 minutes to reduce and intensify the sauce. Taste and adjust salt.
   ▶ ≈3:12
7. 7
   Add the cooked pasta and sauce to a baking dish (30x20 cm or 12x8 in). Gently mix to combine, then top with 100g of shredded mozzarella cheese.
   ▶ ≈4:12
8. 8
   Place under the broiler set to maximum heat for about 2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and golden, with crispy, slightly charred edges.
   ▶ ≈4:38
9. 9
   Divide the baked pasta into 5 equal strips lengthwise, then cut each strip in half horizontally to create 10 equal portions. Place two portions in each pre-chilled meal prep container. Allow to cool completely before sealing the lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
   ▶ ≈4:59