The best way to make pasta with béchamel sauce using a delicious Egyptian recipe

Pasta with béchamel sauce 

is a classic Egyptian dish, passed down through generations—from our ancestors to us. It possesses an unparalleled, delicious flavor. 

Moreover, it is a comforting, warm meal that brings both physical warmth and a sense of love during the cold winter days.

Pasta béchamel is considered a nutritionally complete meal, as it contains a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.

But how do you cook it?

Ingredients

For the pasta:

• 500 grams penne pasta 
•   Water for boiling
• 1 tablespoon salt
•  1 tablespoon oil 

Minced Meat Mixture :

• 500 g minced meat
• 1 medium onion  (chopped)
• Green bell pepper (chopped)
• Salt and black pepper
• Mixed spices or "seven-spice" blend
• One grated tomato or a tablespoon of tomato paste  
• Water

Béchamel Sauce

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• Approximately 1.5 liters of milk (adjust according to the desired consistency)
• Salt and black pepper (or white pepper)
• 3 portions of cream cheese. 

And For the top of the tray, we add mozzarella cheese.

Preparation method

Boiling the pasta

Place the penne pasta into a pot of boiling water, add a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of oil, and leave it until it is fully cooked.

Preparing the Minced Meat

In a hot pan, sauté the grated onion in a little oil until it softens slightly. 

Add the minced meat and stir well until it changes color, 

then season with spices, salt, and black pepper.

Next, add the tomato paste or grated tomatoes, along with a cup of water.

 Let it simmer until the meat is cooked through and the sauce has thickened .

Preparing Béchamel Sauce

In a pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Add 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and stir well for about 3 minutes, allowing the flour to toast slightly without changing color. 

Gradually add the milk while whisking constantly with a hand whisk to prevent the mixture from clumping. 

If any lumps do form, you can use an electric hand mixer to blend the sauce until it becomes smooth and lump-free. 

Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, then season with salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat. 

Assembling the layers of the tray

Grease a baking tray with a little  butter or oil  then spread a small amount of béchamel sauce over the bottom.

• Mix half of the pasta with half of the béchamel sauce and place it as the first layer in the tray.

• Add the minced meat filling and spread it out evenly.

• Add the second layer of pasta.

• Pour the remaining béchamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Baking in the oven

Place the tray into an oven preheated to 200°C for 25 to 30 minutes, until it turns a beautiful golden color.

Serve hot. Enjoy!