Pasta Bechamel/Egyptian Baked Pasta Macarona Bechamel

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: lentils

Lentils provide protein at a lower cost.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil adds healthy fats.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + cornstarch

Almond milk is lower in calories.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor without dairy.

Boil pasta in a large pot with boiling water and 1 teaspoon of salt for about 10 minutes, then drain and shock with cold water to stop cooking.

In a large skillet, add 3 tablespoons of ghee and heat until melted, then add minced onion and sauté until soft and slightly colored.

Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart to cook evenly, and cook until all liquid has evaporated.

Add spices (chili powder, cinnamon, coriander, paprika, ginger, nutmeg, middle-eastern dry herb mix, salt, and pepper) to the beef mixture and mix well; set aside to cool.

In a large pot, melt 3 tablespoons of ghee or butter, then add 1 cup of flour and cook until it shows a little color and has a nutty aroma.

Remove from heat and slowly add 1.5 liters of whole milk, mixing well to avoid lumps; use a hand mixer if necessary to ensure a smooth sauce.

Bring the bechamel sauce to a boil, then remove from heat and add salt, pepper, and 3/4 cup of Italian cheese mix; let cool.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with about two-thirds of the bechamel sauce and mix well.

Spray a deep baking dish with cooking spray and spread a little bechamel sauce on the bottom.

Layer half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish, flattening it down for evenness.

Spread the meat filling over the pasta layer, flattening it down again for evenness.

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, flattening it down once more.

In the remaining bechamel sauce, whisk in 2 raw eggs until combined, then spread this mixture evenly over the top layer of pasta.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the dish.

Bake in the oven at 365°F for about 1 hour or until the top layer is risen and brown.

Let the dish cool slightly before cutting into squares for serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens