Baked Pasta (macaroni) - Ghagin (Imqarrun) il-Forn
 
Cook time
Total time
 
Rabbit may be the Maltese national dish but baked pasta (ghagin il-forn) comes a close second.
Author:
Cuisine: Maltese
Ingredients
  • 500 grams mince
  • 500 grams penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 onions diced finely
  • 3 cloves garlic finely sliced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 courgette diced
  • 1 red,green or yellow pepper diced
  • 100 ml beef stock
  • 6 chopped tomatoes
  • 4 lightly beaten eggs
  • 4 tablespoons grated cheese plus another two tablespoons for the top
  • Small bunch of oregano chopped
  • Handful of frozen peas (optional)
  • 2 hard boiled eggs chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil for frying
Instructions
  1. In a large frying pan fry the onion and garlic for about five minutes or until soft and starting to brown.
  2. Add in the mince and oregano and fry for ten minutes.
  3. Fry the tomato paste for 1 minute and then add in the courgette and peppers. Fry for a further ten minutes.
  4. Add in the beef stock and chopped tomatoes. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 30 minutes.
  5. While this is happening boil the pasta for about 8 minutes. A little less than al dente (once in the oven it will cook further). Drain immediately and set aside.
  6. Preheat oven to 180oC.
  7. Once the mince has finished simmering add the pasta, beaten eggs, 4 tablespoons of grated cheese, frozen peas and hard boiled eggs. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Gently mix so as to not break the pasta and place in a large baking dish.
  9. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and place in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour.
Recipe by A Maltese Mouthful at https://www.amaltesemouthful.com/baked-macaroni-imqarrun-fil-forn/