This Creamy, Cheesy Baked Pasta Is Egypt’s Ultimate Comfort Food

It’s hard to imagine a family gathering in Egypt without macarona béchamel, a rich baked pasta dish reminiscent of Greek pastitsio and Italian lasagna. It’s the heart of the Egyptian table: the jewel of festive dinners and one of the country’s favorite comfort foods. It’s the dish my mother made when we had guests, when we came home from school exhausted, or simply when she wanted to show us a little extra love.

Though I now live thousands of miles away, the scent of béchamel bubbling in the oven instantly brings me back to my mother’s kitchen. The dish features layers of penne, a luscious spiced meat and tomato sauce, and creamy, velvety béchamel. It’s often served straight from the oven unadorned, but some families garnish it with a light grating of Parmesan cheese and whole or chopped fresh basil or parsley leaves. 

The Origins of Macarona Forn

This fusion dish, shaped by both local Egyptians and Italian and Greek expats, emerged organically in Egypt during the 1800s. Muhammad Ali Pasha, who ruled Egypt from 1805 to 1848, actively encouraged Greeks and other Europeans to settle in the country as part of his sweeping modernization plans. He hoped to leverage their skills in trade, shipping, crafts, and agriculture to strengthen Egypt’s economy and infrastructure. His grandson, Ismail Pasha, expanded this vision during his rule from 1863 to 1879. Flourishing Greek and Italian communities took root, and somewhere along the way, macarona forn was born.

The Building Blocks of Macarona Forn

The Pasta

Penne is the pasta of choice for this dish for most Egyptian households, including mine. Its tubular shape holds the meat sauce beautifully and provides structure beneath the creamy béchamel. Some families use rigatoni for an even heartier texture, while others turn to spaghetti in a pinch—but spaghetti tends to clump and lacks the structural, layered effect typical of a traditional bake. Penne strikes the perfect balance between elegance and practicality, holding its shape without turning mushy in the oven.

To prevent the pasta from becoming too soft, it’s essential to cook it just shy of al dente before layering. It will finish cooking in the oven as it absorbs the béchamel and meat sauce, and starting with slightly undercooked pasta ensures each bite holds its shape and doesn’t collapse under the dish’s weight.

The Cheese

Traditional Egyptian versions of macarona forn call for Gebna Roumi, a sharp, tangy, aged local cheese with a crumbly texture and nutty undertones. Outside Egypt, the closest substitutes are a combination of Parmesan and mozzarella: Parmesan contributes a savory depth, while mozzarella offers a stretchy, melty finish. For an extra rich andcreamy béchamel, I also incorporate cream cheese.

The Filling

The meat sauce is best made with lean ground meat, since excess fat would make the dish greasy. It’s typically seasoned with warm spices, such as cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, giving the dish its distinctly Egyptian flavor profile: earthy, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

Vegetarian and vegan adaptations of macarona forn are growing in popularity, especially among Egypt’s Coptic Christian community, who typically abstain from meat and all animal products for at least 200 days per year, and maintain a strictly vegan diet during Lent. A hearty mix of sautéed mushrooms and colorful bell peppers can be substituted for meat, while a vegan béchamel can be prepared with cashew milk or even plant-based coffee creamer. Still, I prefer macarona forn in its classic form.

Whether you’re longing for a taste of Egypt or simply craving a satisfying meal, macarona forn is a dish worth making. It’s a standalone showstopper that needs no sides—just a fork and an appetite. Even better, it’s make-ahead friendly and freezes beautifully when unbaked, making it a practical choice for busy weeknights, gatherings, or whenever you need a comforting bite of home. Serve it for Eid, a Sunday lunch, or a celebratory meal. Try it once, and you may just find yourself adding it to your own family’s list of treasured traditions.

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