Baked Pasta Tagine with Minced Meat and Onions – Easy & Delicious One-Pan Meal

Prep Time: 20 minutes   |   Cook Time: 40 minutes   |   Total Time: 1 hour   |   Servings: 6-8

This **Baked Pasta Tagine with Minced Meat and Onions** is a comforting, flavorful, and easy one-pan meal. Layers of pasta mixed with onions, savory minced meat, and rich tomato sauce baked until perfectly tender and golden. It’s a family favorite that combines the best of pasta bake and traditional tagine cooking.

Ready in just one hour, this dish is ideal for busy weeknights or weekend family dinners. The onions add natural sweetness, while the spices (cinnamon and nutmeg) give it a delicious aromatic twist that makes it taste special.

Ingredients

• 500g pasta (any short shape)
• 2 cups fresh tomato sauce
• 3 large onions
• 250g minced meat
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Optional: chili flakes

Instructions

1. In a pot, heat oil and add fresh tomato sauce with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened, then add 1 cup of water and set aside.
2. In a pan, heat oil and sauté the minced meat with one chopped onion, salt, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and optional chili until cooked (about 10 minutes).
3. Mix the uncooked pasta with the remaining sliced onions.
4. In a baking dish or tagine, spread the cooked minced meat as the first layer.
5. Add the pasta-onion mixture on top of the meat.
6. Pour the prepared tomato sauce evenly over everything.
7. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 35-40 minutes.
8. Remove foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you want a golden top. Let it rest, then serve hot.

Tips for Success

• Use short pasta shapes so they cook evenly in the oven.
• Do not overcook the meat — it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Covering with foil keeps the pasta moist while baking.
• You can add cheese on top during the last 10 minutes for a cheesy version.
• This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld.

Enjoy this hearty and delicious **Baked Pasta Tagine with Minced Meat and Onions** — a comforting one-pan meal that the whole family will love!