Baked Pasta with Béchamel – The Perfect Recipe with No Mistakes

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Baked Pasta with Béchamel – The Perfect Recipe with No Mistakes

If there’s one dish that no family member will disagree on, it’s baked pasta with béchamel. This dish has an outstanding reputation both in Arab countries and abroad, where it is known by many names: pastitsio, maccheroni al forno, pasticho, and in the Arab world simply macarona béchamel. It’s considered one of the main courses on the dinner table. The stars of this recipe are pasta, minced meat, and of course the rich béchamel sauce. Let’s dive into preparing this classic family favorite step by step.

Ingredients

Baked Pasta with Béchamel

 

  • 500 g penne pasta

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 liter milk

  • 250 g seasoned ground beef

  • 2 tablespoons grated cheese

  • 70 g butter or margarine

  • 2 eggs

Preparation

Step 1: Make the Béchamel Sauce

  • Place a saucepan on medium heat and melt the butter.

  • Add the flour, whisking constantly for 2–3 minutes, making sure it doesn’t turn brown.

  • Slowly pour in the milk while whisking until the mixture thickens into a smooth sauce.

  • Stir in the grated cheese, mix well, and then remove from the heat.

  • Your béchamel sauce is now ready.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

  • Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Dish

  • Grease a baking dish suitable for the oven.

  • Divide both the pasta and the béchamel sauce into two equal portions, keeping a small amount of sauce aside for the topping.

  • Mix the first half of the pasta with one portion of the béchamel sauce and spread it evenly in the dish.

  • Add the seasoned ground beef as a middle layer.

  • Mix the second half of the pasta with the remaining béchamel and spread it on top of the meat.

  • Take the béchamel you set aside, whisk it with the two eggs, and pour it over the top layer to create a golden crust.

Step 4: Bake

  • Preheat the oven to medium-high heat (around 180–200°C / 350–390°F).

  • Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top turns golden brown.

  • Remove from the oven and allow it to rest briefly before cutting into squares or slices.

Serving

Preparation time: 45–50 minutes
Cut into portions and serve warm for a hearty family meal.

Enjoy your homemade baked pasta with béchamel!

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