Get ready for an effortless spin on a beloved Egyptian classic with our Macarona Bechamel (مكرونة بشاميل) recipe! It’s the essence of traditional baked macaroni bechamel, all conveniently crafted with simple steps and minimal equipment. Because you know we’re all about that one-pot pasta life! Fast, cozy, and the epitome of an easy dinner recipe, it’s sure to satisfy a hungry crowd.
Table of Contents
- What Is Macarona Bechamel?
- Is Bechamel Sauce the Same As Alfredo Sauce?
- Is Macaroni Bechamel the Same as Macarona Bechamel?
- How to Make this Bechamel Recipe
- Flavor Variations
- How to Store Leftover Macarona
- Serving Suggestions
- Common Questions
- More Comforting Pasta Recipes
- Macarona Bechamel Recipe (Egyptian Baked Pasta) Recipe
What Is Macarona Bechamel?
Macarona Bechamel is also known as macaroni bechamel or the Egyptian take on mac and cheese. For us it’s not just a simple dish; it’s a flavorful journey down memory lane. Since we grew up enjoying our mother’s version, this beloved recipe is like a culinary hug from our past.
Typically made with penne noodles and spiced meat, it’s defined by the warm spices and creamy bechamel sauce that’s poured on top. A type of pasta bake or casserole, it’s an irresistible comfort food that everyone loves!
Is Bechamel Sauce the Same As Alfredo Sauce?
Although similar in appearance, bechamel and alfredo are two entirely different sauces. Bechamel sauce is simple and includes only flour, milk, butter, and spices. Meanwhile, alfredo sauce requires heavy cream, butter, garlic, fresh parsley, and cheese.
Is Macaroni Bechamel the Same as Macarona Bechamel?
While macaroni bechamel is a common nickname for this dish, let’s set the record straight: it’s not quite accurate. We believe it is commonly confused because the dish is similar to American mac and cheese. However, unlike the Western comfort food, a key ingredient in Macarona Bechamel is the penne pasta and a white sauce. Macaroni or elbow noodles are never used.
How to Make this Bechamel Recipe
For the Bechamel Sauce
- Start by melting the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the warm milk to the butter mixture, and stir until the sauce is thick and creamy. Add salt, pepper, cinnamon and cardamom. Mix until incorporated.
- Pour in the warm milk, whisking to combine.
- Stir in the seasonings.
For the Baked Pasta
- Cook the penne according to package instructions.
- Brown the beef in a skillet.
- Add the ingredients to the pot with the bechamel sauce.
- Stir to combine.
- Serve immediately.
Flavor Variations
This recipe’s a breeze, but who says you can’t sprinkle some magic on it? Elevate the simplicity with a dash of creativity! There are oodles of easy tricks to crank up the flavor or add a tantalizing twist.
Swap out the meat. For a slightly different flavor replace the beef with ground turkey, lamb, or even bison.
Add a different spice. We prefer the warm flavors of cinnamon and cardamom, but you could also include a dash of garlic powder for a more savory kick. If you like nutmeg, feel free to add a dash too!
Add cheese. Make this bechamel recipe even creamier with a sprinkling of cheese. Parmesan cheese is delicious in this recipe!
Make it pretty. If you’re cooking for a crowd, top off your pasta with a dash of fresh parsley or thyme for a super fancy-looking dish.
How to Store Leftover Macarona
We very rarely have any leftovers, but if you do, they can be stored well-covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. Then, when you’re ready to eat, just warm it in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven! Feel free to add a splash of milk to loosen it up.
Or, for longer-lasting pasta, keep it in the freezer! When kept in an airtight container, it will stay fresh for 4-6 months. Then, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat it the next day.
Serving Suggestions
- Cool, refreshing, and light, Egyptian Cucumber & Tomato Salad is the perfect side.
- Wholesome and nutritious, this Greek Salad is easy to toss together with ingredients you already have waiting for you in your fridge!
- This Cheesy Garlic Bread will have your friends and family begging for seconds!
Common Questions
Absolutely! While ground beef is traditional, you can experiment with ground lamb, chicken, or even a vegetarian version using mushrooms or lentils. The key is to season the filling well to complement the creamy béchamel and pasta.
To achieve a silky béchamel, whisk continuously while gradually adding warm milk to the roux (butter and flour mixture). This technique ensures a smooth, lump-free sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or roasted vegetables pairs wonderfully, balancing the richness of the pasta. Garlic bread is also a great accompaniment, perfect for sopping up any extra sauce.
Yes, incorporating cheeses like mozzarella or oarmesan into the béchamel adds an extra layer of flavor and creaminess, making the dish even more indulgent.
More Comforting Pasta Recipes
- Made with tomato spiced ground beef, Egyptian Orzo Pasta is a tasty twist on a classic Egyptian dish.
- One Pot Elote Pasta will spice up your life with just one bite!
- Filled with fresh spinach, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomato pesto, and lots of herbs, One Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta is so flavorful and couldn’t be easier to make!
- Everything you love about buffalo chicken in one easy dish, this Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is perfect for every occasion.
- One Pot Libyan Pasta (Mbakbaka) is spicy, easy, and dairy-free!
- Koshary-Inspired Egyptian Pasta has all the bold flavor of koshari in a comforting pasta dish.
Macarona Bechamel Recipe (Egyptian Baked Pasta)
Ingredients
For the pasta:
- 1 pound dry penne noodles
For the ground beef:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
For the béchamel sauce:
- 1 stick 1/2 cup butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups warm whole milk
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.1 pound dry penne noodles
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Add sea salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Set aside.1 pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 cloves garlic
- In a large pot oven safe pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the warm milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens. Season with salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom.1 stick, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 6 cups warm whole milk, 1½ teaspoons sea salt, ¾ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- Reserve 1½ cups of the béchamel and set aside. Add the pasta and ground beef to the remaining béchamel in the pot and stir until well combined. Top with the béchamel sauce
- Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until the top is bubbly and brown (you can also broil for 1-2 minutes just to get the top to brown but be very careful because it can burn very quickly).
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
As a busy mother to three beautiful, half- Egyptian children, I often find myself scrambling to cook food that is evenly slightly comparable to their favorite meals prepared by “Teta” 🙂
Thanks to Food Dolls, they’re enjoying classic meals that only cost me half the time as traditional Egyptian recipes.
You are both such an inspiration. Thank You!
This made our day. Thank you so much for such a kind review, Haley! We’re so glad to have you here and hope you and your family continue to enjoy the recipes. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
this is in my regular recipe rotation now!
We’re so glad! Thank you for trying it out. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
This is one of my favorite meals!!
I’ve tried adding a little tomatoe paste to the sauce to make it into a pink sauce and it was just perfection.
Thank you, Marise!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I bet ground lamb in this would be lights out.
I liked the warm seasonings used for this recipe. I chose to use ground turkey and penne pasta made from chickpeas. It turned out great!
What can I use instead of whole milk? Can’t have dairy 😔
Hi! We have not tried this recipe with anything other than dairy. You are welcome to try it with your favorite non-dairy milk but we don’t know how it will turn out!