Classic Baked Pasta Gratin: Mastering the Creamy Bechamel Sauce (Culinary Education)

Описание: Welcome to Culinary Compass! Learn how to make the ultimate comfort food classic: creamy baked pasta gratin featuring a perfectly smooth, lump-free Bechamel sauce. This video dives deep into the Professional Cooking Techniques required to build the foundation of this beloved dish, ensuring your final result is moist, rich, and never dry.

We start with the fundamentals of making a traditional French roux and transforming it into a luxurious Bechamel. Understanding the importance of using cold milk is key to achieving that velvety texture, which is a crucial component of Culinary Education. This recipe is perfect for family dinners, meal prepping, or impressing guests with Gourmet comfort food.

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RECIPE: BAKED PASTA WITH BECHAMEL

INGREDIENTS:
For the Pasta:

6 cups water
1.5 teaspoons salt
Oven-ready pasta (amount not specified, use 400-500g)

For the Bechamel Sauce:

1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 heaping tablespoons flour
2.5 cups cold milk
1 quarter teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt

For Assembly:

50 grams white cheese, thinly sliced (optional)
100 grams grated cashew cheese (or Mozzarella/Kashar for topping)
Finely chopped parsley for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Boil water (6 cups) with salt (1.5 tsp). Add pasta and cook until desired texture is reached (or al dente).
2. While pasta cooks, make the Bechamel: Melt butter and oil in a saucepan. Stir in flour and toast for 1.5-2 minutes until fragrant (making a roux).
3. Gradually whisk in the cold milk continuously until the sauce thickens. Season with black pepper (1/4 tsp) and salt (1 tsp).
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. In a baking dish, combine the drained cooked pasta, the 50g sliced white cheese (if using), and the prepared Bechamel sauce. Mix well until coated.
6. Sprinkle 100g of grated cheese evenly over the top.
7. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Be careful not to over-bake to prevent dryness.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley before slicing and serving. Enjoy!