The Famous Egyptian pasta with bachamel sauce

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: lentils

Lentils provide protein at a lower cost.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier and adds richness.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + cornstarch

Almond milk reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

Prepare the béchamel sauce by combining 1 liter of full cream milk, 2 tablespoons of white flour, 2 tablespoons of corn starch, salt, and black pepper in a saucepan, cooking until thickened.

Add 1 egg to the béchamel sauce while mixing to prevent the egg from cooking separately.

Cook pasta (penne) until slightly undercooked, then drain.

Mix the pasta with the béchamel sauce to combine.

Layer the bottom of a baking dish with some béchamel sauce.

Add a layer of pasta, followed by more béchamel sauce.

Spread a layer of prepared ground beef seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, onions, and garlic over the pasta.

Add another layer of béchamel sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta and ground beef, finishing with a layer of béchamel sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.

Transfer to a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) and bake for 45 minutes until golden brown.

Let it rest before slicing and serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens