Macarona Bechamel (Egyptian Baked Pasta)

• servings: 8 servings
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) dried penne pasta

1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil

1 onion (peeled and diced)

2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)

2 pounds (900 grams) ground beef

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup (240 milliliters) tomato sauce

1/4 cup (10 grams) freshly chopped parsley

4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter

1/2 cup (64 grams) all-purpose flour

4 cups (950 milliliters) milk

1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth

Salt (to taste)

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

4 ounces (113 grams) low moisture mozzarella (shredded)

1 large egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Lightly grease a deep 10x14 inch (25x35 1/2 centimeter) baking dish with olive oil.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

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:

In a large pan, drizzle the 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil over medium heat.

Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Mix in the garlic and cook until just fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Crumble in the ground beef. Continue to cook, breaking up the beef, until browned. Season with the salt, cumin, cinnamon, and black pepper.

Stir in the tomato sauce. Cook for a few more minutes until the liquid has mostly evaporated.

Remove from heat, stir in the parsley, and adjust seasonings to taste.

To make the bechamel sauce:

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.

Stir in the flour with a whisk. Cook, while continuously stirring, just until golden.

Slowly pour in the milk, while continuously whisking to prevent lumps, followed by the chicken broth.

Whisk in the salt and nutmeg.

Cook, stirring often to prevent the bottom from burning, until the mixture has thickened.

Remove from heat.

Once the mixture stops bubbling, stir in the mozzarella until smooth.

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:

Arrange half of the cooked penne in the prepared baking dish.

Top with all of the beef mixture.

Cover the beef with the remaining penne.

Fully cover with an even layer of the béchamel sauce.

Bake the Macarona Bechamel, uncovered, in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 40-50 minutes.

Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.