Macarona Bechamel (Egyptian Baked Pasta)

User Reviews

5

8 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    1 hr 10 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 25 mins

  • Servings

    8 -12 Servings

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Egyptian

Macarona Bechamel (Egyptian Baked Pasta)

A recipe for Macarona Bechamel (مكرونة بشاميل, Egyptian Baked Pasta)! Penne pasta is layered with a spiced beef mixture, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce, and baked until golden and bubbly.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 1/2 pounds penne pasta dried
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 15 milliliters

Beef:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 30 milliliters
  • 1 onion peeled and diced
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 2 pounds ground beef 900 grams
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 cup tomato sauce 240 milliliters
  • 1/4 cup parsley freshly chopped

Bechamel:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 60 grams
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 64 grams
  • 4 cups milk 950 milliliters
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • salt to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 4 ounces mozzarella shredded, low moisture
  • 1 egg large

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Lightly grease a deep 10x14 inch (25x35 1/2 centimeter) baking dish with olive oil.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  3. Add the penne and cook, stirring often, until barely tender, al dente. Drain (do not rinse) and toss with 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil.

To make the beef:

  1. In a large pan, drizzle the 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened.
  3. Mix in the garlic and cook until just fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  4. Crumble in the ground beef. Continue to cook, breaking up the beef, until browned. Season with the salt, cumin, cinnamon, and black pepper.
  5. Stir in the tomato sauce. Cook for a few more minutes until the liquid has mostly evaporated.
  6. Remove from heat, stir in the parsley, and adjust seasonings to taste.

To make the bechamel sauce:

  1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Stir in the flour with a whisk. Cook, while continuously stirring, just until golden.
  3. Slowly pour in the milk, while continuously whisking to prevent lumps, followed by the chicken broth.
  4. Whisk in the salt and nutmeg.
  5. Cook, stirring often to prevent the bottom from burning, until the mixture has thickened.
  6. Remove from heat.
  7. Once the mixture stops bubbling, stir in the mozzarella until smooth.
  8. In a small bowl, beat the egg. While continuously beating, pour in a little of the hot béchamel to temper the egg. Pour the egg mixture back into the pot of béchamel while whisking until smooth.

To layer the Macarona Bechamel:

  1. Arrange half of the cooked penne in the prepared baking dish. 
  2. Top with all of the beef mixture.
  3. Cover the beef with the remaining penne.
  4. Fully cover with an even layer of the béchamel sauce. 
  5. Bake the Macarona Bechamel, uncovered, in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 40-50 minutes.
  6. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
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