Baked Penne: Egyptian Macarona Bechamel

Egyptian Macarona Bechamel is a baked penne casserole layered with spiced beef and silky béchamel sauce. It’s the comforting Egyptian dish many people compare to lasagna, and baking it uncovered gives the top its golden finish.

What Is Macarona Bechamel?

Baked penne pasta, also referred to as Macarona Bechamel ( مكرونة بشاميل) is a classic Egyptian recipe that many kids grow up eating. There are many different variations, but it always contains spiced beef, pasta noodles, and silky bechamel sauce. Similar to American macaroni and cheese or lasagna, it’s often served as a weeknight comfort food and is always a hit at the dinner table! This baked pasta version is closest to what we grew up eating, but we’ve also made macarona bechamel in one pot, too!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Baked Penne Pasta

Unsalted Butter
All-Purpose Flour
Whole Milk
Spices and Seasonings
Ground Beef
Penne Pasta

a casserole dish full of baked penne with bechamel sauce

How to Make the Finest Macarona Bechamel

Start by cooking the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the noodles, and set them aside.
Cook the beef with spices until it is no longer pink.
Next, make your bechamel sauce. To do so, melt the butter in a saucepan, and whisk in the flour. Then, add in part of the warmed milk, and continue to whisk constantly until the ingredients are thick in silky. Mix in the seasonings, and stir again. Remove the sauce from the heat, and let it sit and thicken for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add the cooked penne to a large bowl along with part of the bechamel sauce and more warm milk. Stir until the noodles are well coated.
Layer half of the noodle mixture in a casserole dish. Sprinkle the ground beef on top, add remaining layer of penne and pour the bechamel sauce over it all.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the sauce is golden and browned on top.
Let cool, and enjoy!

Should My Casserole Dish Be Covered or Uncovered?

Leave the baked pasta uncovered while in the oven! This will help create the beautiful golden topping. However, you’ll want to make sure to keep an eye on your baked penne pasta to ensure it doesn’t burn.

Can I Use Lasagna Sheets Instead of Penne?

Traditional Macarona Bechamel incorporates penne noodles. However, if you want to swap them out for lasagna sheets, you absolutely can! Just be sure to cook them thoroughly, and spread the bechamel sauce evenly on top before layering the beef.

Make-Ahead Options

Baked penne pasta is a reliable recipe for meal prep! Once cooked, it will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Or, keep it in the freezer either cooked or uncooked for 4-6 months! If freezing this recipe before cooking it in the oven, layer all of the ingredients first. Then, let it thaw in the fridge overnight or bake it from frozen as the instructions state. If baking from frozen, you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure the dish is warmed thoroughly and browned on top.

Common Questions about Macarona Bechamel

What is Macarona Bechamel made of?

Macarona Bechamel is a silky layered pasta dish with seasoned meat, rich bechamel sauce, and penne pasta. It’s all baked together for one simple and satisfying casserole.

Where did Macarona Bechamel originate?

This simple dish was crafted by Egyptians, Greeks, and Italians in Egypt.

What defines a bechamel?

Bechamel is characterized by its silky smoothness. It’s a silky sauce that’s made by combining flour and butter with milk and seasonings.

Are roux and bechamel the same?

These two are not the same. A roux is the combination of flour and butter that is used to thicken sauces and is the base of bechamel. To make the bechamel, you add milk and seasonings.

Baked Penne Pasta with Bechamel Sauce in a casserole dish with a serving missing

More Baked Pasta Recipes

If you’re like us and can’t get enough simple pasta recipes, we have plenty more for you to check out!

Not exactly authentic, this Oven Baked Spaghetti went viral for a reason. It’s tasty, speedy, and so simple to make!
This Greek Pasta Bake is bursting with so much color and flavor that it’ll make you feel like you’re on the shores of the Mediterranean in the summer.
Addictively tasty, Crack Chicken Pasta Bake comes together with minimal time and dishes so you can get in and out of the kitchen in no time!
Silky and decadent, Truffle Mac and Cheese is fancy enough for holidays but simple enough for a Monday.

overhead image of baked penne with bechamel sauce in a casserole dish

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 8 servings

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 55 mins

A classic Egyptian recipe, baked penne pasta is layered with penne noodles, spiced beef, and bechamel sauce browned to silky perfection! Email

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 yellow onion finely diced
3 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
8 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons kosher salt more or less to taste
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound cooked penne pasta cooked al dente

Instructions

Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium-high heat, breaking it apart constantly until no longer pink. Drain any fat.1 pound lean ground beef
Add diced onion, minced garlic, cardamom, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon to the cooked ground beef. Reduce heat and sauté until onions are translucent. Set aside.1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 yellow onion
In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour, then gradually whisk in the 8 cups of milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Stir in the kosher salt, cinnamon, and black pepper. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 8 cups whole milk, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with 3 cups of the prepared béchamel sauce. Stir until the sauce coats all the pasta.1 pound cooked penne pasta
Spread half of the penne mixture into a buttered 13×9-inch baking dish.
Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly over the penne layer.
Top with the remaining penne mixture.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Keep an eye on it during the last 10 minutes to prevent burning.