Last Saturday, we had leftover ground pork. Rather than cook traditional spaghetti, I thought of learning a new pasta dish: Baked Macaroni. It’s been a while since we have used the oven too, so I thought this will be a good time to get it up and running.
*Bloggers’ Note: Most of my recipes come from Panlasang Pinoy. I will be posting and linking recipe info to the abovementioned website.
Author: Vanjo Merano
- 1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
- >>Meat Sauce:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 ½ cup diced tomatoes (canned)
- 1 small onions, diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 piece beef cube
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- >>Mornay Sauce:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups fresh milk
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese
- 2 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Prepare the elbow macaroni according to instructions in the package and intentionally cut the cooking time so that the macaroni is not well done (the macaroni will be fully cooked once baked) then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce by heating a cooking pot and melt-in the butter.
- When the butter is hot enough, add the ground beef and cook for 5 minutes or until the color turns medium brown.
- Add the onion, green bell pepper, and diced tomatoes then stir and simmer for 3 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
- Add the tomato paste and paprika then stir and cook for a minute
- Add the beef cube and water then stir until everything is well distributed. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Put-in the sugar, salt, and pepper then mix well. Turn of the heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Mornay sauce by melting the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add the flour stir constantly for about a minute (color must be yellowish and not brown).
- Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil.
- Add salt and pepper then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the cheeses and whisk until melted. Set aside
- Combine the cooked macaroni and meat sauce in a baking dish then toss until the meat sauce is well distributed.
- Arrange the macaroni and pour the Mornay sauce over it. (Spread the Mornay sauce over the macaroni and meat sauce mixture ensuring that every space is covered)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool down a bit.
- Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!
Followed the recipe, except for the parmesan cheese which we didn’t have. I used grated cheddar cheese instead which I mixed with the mornay sauce and added more grated cheese on top. I mixed Italian and Sweet style spaghetti for the sauce to enjoy the combined flavors. Here is the finished product:
And to quote my husband: Baked macaroni made by @gladysjpadilla the perfect caption to this… GONE IN 60 SECONDS!!! grabe!!! ANG SARAAAAPPP!!! good job ling! Now i could say… alam ko na kung bakit masarap lahat… Dahil lagi mong hinahaluan ng pagmamahal ang mga luto mo!!! Kaboom!!! #bakedmac #cheeseoverload#servedwithlove
