Stellini Pasta with Butter and Mozzarella Cheese

🍽️ Ultimate Comfort: Layered Meat and Mash Bake 🥔🥩
This dish is the perfect marriage of creamy mashed potatoes and savory meat sauce, baked under a blanket of bubbly, melted cheese. It’s hearty, satisfying, and absolute comfort food perfection! 🤗

🛒 Ingredients & 🔪

What You’ll Need (The Essentials):

For the Meat Sauce (The Bottom Layer):

1 Tbsp Olive Oil 🍾

1 lb Ground Beef or lamb 🥩

1 medium Onion, chopped 🧅

2 cloves Garlic, minced 🧄

1 (14.5 oz) can Crushed Tomatoes 🍅

1/2 cup Beef Broth 🐄💧

1 tsp Dried Oregano 🌿

1 tsp Salt & Black Pepper 🧂⚫

For the Mashed Potatoes (The Creamy Layer):

4 large Potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and chopped 🥔

1/2 cup Milk (whole milk is best) 🥛

4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter 🧈

1/2 tsp Salt 🧂

The Topping:

1 1/2 cups Shredded Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese 🧀

Getting Ready (Quick Prep):

Preheat your oven to 375∘F (190∘C). 🔥

Grease a round or rectangular baking dish (about 8-9 inches round or 8×8 square). 🏆

Peel and chop the potatoes 🥔. Chop the onion 🧅 and mince the garlic 🧄.

🥩 Meat Sauce & 🥔 Creamy Mash
Step 1: The Savory Meat Sauce 🍅
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil 🍾 over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef 🥩 and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease. 🗑️

Add the chopped onion 🧅 and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the minced garlic 🧄 and oregano 🌿; cook for 1 minute.

Pour in the crushed tomatoes 🍅 and beef broth 🐄💧. Season with salt 🧂 and pepper ⚫.

Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Set aside.

Step 2: The Velvety Mashed Potatoes 🧈

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