# Macarona Bechamel

Macarona Bechamel takes 1 hr 5 min (15 min prep, 50 min cooking) and serves 8.

Recipe by feelgoodfoodie.net · original: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/macarona-bechamel/  
Cuisine: Middle Eastern · Dish: Bakes & casseroles, Pasta  
On Meez: https://meezenplace.app/recipes/macarona-bechamel-recipe (with step-by-step Cook Mode)

Macarona Bechamel is a baked comfort food favorite with layers of pasta, creamy bechamel & a Middle Eastern spiced ground beef tomato sauce.

## Ingredients (serves 8)

- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon 7 spice
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2½ cups milk
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 26–ounce can crushed tomatoes

## Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
3. Add pasta and cook al dente according to package instructions
4. Drain the pasta and set aside
5. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat
6. Whisk in the flour until fully incorporated and lightly bubbling, then slowly whisk in the milk
7. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer, whisking frequently, until the sauce is smooth and thickened
8. Remove from heat and stir in the salt and nutmeg
9. Add the pasta on top of the bechamel sauce and toss to combine
10. Transfer the pasta with the sauce to a 9x13 baking dish
11. In the pot used to cook the pasta, heat the olive oil on medium-high
12. Add the ground beef and onions and season with 7 spice, thyme, salt and pepper
13. Cook the ground beef and onions, breaking up the beef into smaller pieces with the back of a wooden spoon, until browned
14. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant
15. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, then transfer the sauce on top of the pasta in the baking dish and spread it into an even layer
16. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top and bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is golden and bubbly

## Good to know

### Swaps

- No 7 spice? Use 1 teaspoon total of allspice, cinnamon and black pepper with a little nutmeg.
- Swap mozzarella for another melting cheese like cheddar or a mild white cheese.

### Storing it

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheat in the oven or microwave until steaming hot.

### Making it ahead

Assemble the full dish up to a day ahead, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready, allowing a little extra time since it goes in cold.