Description
This creamy, comforting Macaroni with Bechamel Sauce is a Middle Eastern-inspired twist on a classic pasta bake. Perfectly cooked penne is tossed with warmly spiced meat sauce, then blanketed in rich, velvety béchamel. It’s a nostalgic dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and totally satisfying. #MiddleEasternPasta #BechamelMacaroni #ComfortFood #PastaBake #GroundBeefRecipes
Ingredients
Scale
For the pasta:
- 600 g penne pasta
- Water, for boiling
- Salt, to taste
For the meat sauce:
- 700 g lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1½ teaspoons allspice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the béchamel sauce:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 liter milk
- 1 chicken stock cube dissolved in 1 cup hot water (or 1 cup chicken stock)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make meat sauce: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in tomato sauce, allspice, cinnamon, and black pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Make béchamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes, without letting it brown. Gradually add milk and chicken stock, whisking until smooth. Continue stirring until thickened. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Combine and serve: In a large baking dish or serving bowl, mix cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Pour béchamel sauce over the top and stir gently to coat everything evenly. Serve warm, or bake for a golden finish if desired.
Notes
- For added richness, bake the assembled pasta at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until golden on top.
- You can use elbow macaroni or ziti instead of penne if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and double the tomato sauce.
- This dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheats beautifully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous serving
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 105mg