Courgette bounty: Ultimate pasta casserole with minced meat

This year, the gardens have a true bumper crop of courgettes. It's a shame to waste even one, so you must show creativity in the kitchen. Besides the classic pancakes or homemade ratatouille, I often reach for this insanely delicious casserole with minced meat and courgette recipe. Kids devour it, and adults ask for seconds. It's one of my favourite recipes, and I often prepare it on Thursdays.

This meal is easy to prepare and quite inexpensive. The whole family will be satisfied because a hearty serving of pasta, meat, and courgette will silence even the loudest growling stomachs. However, it's far from an ordinary casserole where you just mix chopped ingredients. The secret is the exceptional crunchiness achieved by sprinkling the top with panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.

You can use regular breadcrumbs if you don't have panko breadcrumbs at home and can't find them in the shop. If you're grinding them yourself, leave them in slightly larger pieces for extra crunchiness.

Ingredients:

                        
• 1 onion,
• 1 tablespoon olive oil,
• 400 grams minced meat,
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon thyme,
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika,
• a pinch of hot paprika,
• 120 millilitres broth,
• 140 grams pasta,
• half a courgette,
• 60 grams grated Parmesan,
• 2 tablespoons butter,
• 120 grams panko breadcrumbs.

Sauce:

          
• 200 millilitres 30% cream,
• 85 grams cream cheese,
• 1/2 teaspoon grated garlic,
• 1 teaspoon mustard,
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce,
• salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation Instructions:

1. Chop the onion and sauté in a pan. Add the minced meat and break it up with a fork. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and sweet and hot paprika.
2. Simmer covered until the meat is tender.
3. In a saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients and heat until the cheese melts.
4. Transfer the cooked pasta to a baking dish. Place the meat on top of the pasta, and then pour half of the sauce over it.
5. Cover with courgette slices and pour over the remaining sauce. Generously sprinkle with grated cheese.
6. Melt the butter in a pan and add the panko breadcrumbs. Stir until the breadcrumbs are golden and crunchy. Sprinkle them over the casserole.
7. Bake in an oven preheated to 190°C (375°F, Gas Mark 5) for about 20 minutes.

I serve the ready casserole warm. Enjoy your meal!