MACARONA BECHAMEL PASTA BAKE - EGYPTIAN MACARONA BECHAMEL RECIPE - HINZ COOKING

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner and healthier, while ground chicken is often less expensive.

bechamel sauce

🥗Healthier: cauliflower puree

💰Cheaper: white sauce made with cornstarch

Cauliflower puree reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free option that adds flavor.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is a healthier fat option.

In a hot boiling water, cook the macaroni pasta for about 8 minutes on medium to high heat. As it gets 95% boiled then drain water and rinse with tap water to release excess starch.

In a heated pan, add oil and sauté garlic and onion until it changes color. Add ground chicken and cook on high heat until the chicken changes its color. Now add spices (paprika powder, garam masala, cinnamon powder, and salt). Cook all the spices on medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes to get rid of spice rawness. Add tomato paste and mix well. Also, add capsicum chunks to add color to chicken. Cover and cook the chicken on medium to low heat for 20 minutes.

Start with preparing the Roux, In a pan, add butter and melt it on low heat. Add all-purpose flour and brown it to get a nutty paste. Next, add milk and stir quickly to make a thick sauce. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for few minutes on low heat until you get a thick and smooth texture. Make sure to keep whisking as it will help to make a smooth texture of sauce.

Mix the macaroni with chicken.

In a casserole dish, place the layer of macaroni then pour bechamel sauce. Repeat the layering again. Over the top, spread mozzarella cheese and sprinkle few chunks of capsicum to add color. Sprinkle a pinch of oregano.

Preheat the oven 5 to 10 minutes before then place the pasta dish in oven and bake for 30 minutes at 220C. Broil for 5 minutes to give a nice roasted color on top.

Take it out from oven, let it settle for 5 minutes. Cut into cubes and enjoy!

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens