Pasta al forno (baked pasta the Italian way)

Step 1

Chop the carrot, onion, garlic and celery finely.

Step 2

Fry the vegetables in olive oil until they are softening. Be careful not to allow them to burn!

Step 3

Add the minced meat and cook until browned.

Step 4

Then add the tomato concentrate and stir well

Step 5

Add the glass of wine and stir well again

Step 6

When the wine has evaporated pour in the tomato pulp and mix it in well with the meat.

Step 7

Add the basil leaves and salt and pepper as required.

Step 8

Cover the sauce and allow to simmer on a low heat for at least an hour, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick. If it gets too thick add some water.

Step 9

15 minutes before the sauce is ready add the peas.

Step 10

Put salted water on to boil for the pasta. Cook the pasta 2-3 minutes less than instructed on the packet. Strain and add the pasta to the meat sauce when it is ready.

Step 11

Mix the pasta and sauce well and allow to cool.

Step 12

Put a layer of pasta with sauce on the bottom of an oven dish.

Step 13

Make another layer with thick pieces of mozzarella.

Step 14

Add another layer of pasta with meat sauce and again some mozzarella

Step 15

Finish with a layer of pasta.

Step 16

Sprinkle with parmesan and bake in a pre-heated oven 180-200° until the top layer starts to crisp (30-40 mins)