A Taste of Egypt in Every Bite

Have you ever tasted Egyptian baked macaroni? If not, you're missing out on an incredible culinary experience! I recently found myself in a new country, and as someone who loves experimenting with food, I decided to dive into local and regional cuisines.

One day, a dear friend, originally from Egypt but now settled in Bahrain, introduced me to this delightful dish. It was a creamy, savory baked macaroni blended with fresh vegetables and milk cream. The combination of flavors was a revelation! Each bite transported me straight to the bustling streets of Cairo, where such dishes are deeply rooted in the culture.

A Dish That Tells a Story

Every bite of this Egyptian-baked macaroni carried a depth of flavor that spoke of tradition, love, and comfort. As my friend explained, this dish—often called Macaroni Bechamel—is a staple in Egyptian households. While variations exist, the essence remains: perfectly cooked macaroni layered with creamy béchamel sauce, vegetables, and sometimes ground meat/chicken.

Inspired by her enthusiasm, I knew I had to try making it myself. The journey was not just about recreating a recipe but connecting to a culture and heritage I admired.

Funny enough, she didn’t make it herself. She just described the process to me, and I took it upon myself to bring her words to life in my kitchen. The result? Lahaula! It was delicious. From that moment on, this dish earned a permanent spot on my list of favorites.

I made it for both of us and watching her enjoy it brought a sense of pride and joy. Sharing food, especially one inspired by someone’s culture, felt like connecting on a deeper level. It wasn’t just about the taste—it was about the experience of creating something meaningful and new.

I won’t lie—the process is quite testing because you have to pay close attention to ensure everything is incorporated perfectly. Just as I was getting started, my friend chimed in, suggesting, “Let’s twist it a little bit.” Intrigued, I went along with her advice.

So, I began by gathering my ingredients and setting up my kitchen. The vibrant colors of the vegetables, the creamy richness of the milk, and the sharp, savory aroma of the cheese filled the room with anticipation. I laid everything out meticulously because, with a dish like this, organization is key.

Recipe for Egyptian Baked Macaroni

I don’t want you, dear readers, to miss out on this amazing recipe, so here it is! To make this delicious Egyptian-baked macaroni, you'll need a few essential tools:

1. A glass Pyrex baking dish, like this one because of its comfort to hold even while hot.

2. A whisk, helps you blend the ingredients smoothly. I use this whisk from Amazon. The handle is of good thickness making it comfortable in your hands.

3. A knife for chopping your vegetables

4. A chopping board to keep things neat

5. A sieve for rinsing the pasta or veggies, if needed

6. A wooden cooking spoon for stirring and mixing the sauce

7. Your favorite cookware for preparing the ingredients

Ingredients:

Fresh Milk: You'll need fresh milk for that creamy texture. I recommend using this fresh milk.

All-Purpose Flour: Essential for thickening the sauce. Get your flour here.

Ghee: For that rich, buttery flavor, check out this ghee from Amazon.

Pillsbury Cream Cheese: This adds a velvety smoothness to the dish.

Frozen Mixed Vegetables: A great addition to color and nutrition. You can pick up some fresh canned mixed vegetables from Amazon.

Chicken Breast: For protein, use fresh or frozen chicken breast.

Macaroni Pasta: Grab some macaroni pasta for the base of your dish.

Salt: A staple in every kitchen. Get your salt here.

Tomato Paste: For added depth of flavor.

Black and Red Pepper: Perfect for seasoning. I use this black pepper and this red pepper.

Coriander: Fresh or dried, coriander brings a lovely touch to the dish. You can find it at your nearest grocery store.

Onion: Essential for the base flavor. Pick up yours at your grocery store.

Maggie: These seasoning cubes add richness.

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the macaroni: In a medium-sized pot, bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, and cook your macaroni pasta until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent overcooking. Set aside.

2. Prepare the chicken and vegetable mixture: Heat a little oil in a clean cookware. Add your chopped onion and sauté until golden brown. Then, add your well-rinsed fresh canned mixed vegetables, followed by the chopped chicken. Season with salt, Maggie seasoning cubes, and black and red pepper. Stir well, then add some water and allow it to cook for about 5 minutes. Once the mixture is tender, stir in the tomato paste and cook until it thickens. Set aside.

3. Make the milk sauce: In a separate pan, heat your fresh milk on medium heat. Once warm, add ghee and Pillsbury cream cheese, whisking until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.

4. Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), so it’s ready when you're ready to assemble the dish.

5. Assemble the dish: In a clean glass baking dish Pyrex, start by spreading a small amount of the milk sauce. Add the first layer of macaroni and the chicken-vegetable mixture. Spread more milk sauce on top, then repeat the layering with another layer of macaroni and sauce. Finish with the remaining milk sauce, spreading it evenly.

6. Bake: Ensure your oven is preheated. Bake the dish for 15 minutes or until bubbles start to form. Then, switch the heat to the top and bake for another 15 minutes until the top turns golden brown.

Final Thoughts

Once your Egyptian-baked macaroni is out of the oven, you're in for a delightful treat! The combination of creamy milk sauce, savory chicken, and flavorful vegetables nestled between tender macaroni will make every bite irresistible. Whether you're serving it for a family meal or a special occasion, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Tips for the Perfect Dish

a) Vary the Vegetables: Feel free to add or swap out vegetables according to your preference. Bell peppers, peas, or even spinach can be great additions.

b) Cheese Lovers: If you love cheese, feel free to sprinkle some grated cheese on top before baking for an extra cheesy crust.

c) Don’t be in a rush: The dish requires proportional measurement of the ingredients, so take your time and enjoy the cooking.

Enjoy Your Creation!

I hope you enjoy making and eating this Egyptian-inspired macaroni as much as I did. It's a wonderful way to explore new flavors while still keeping comfort food at the center of your meal. Don’t forget to share your creations with me – I'd love to hear how it turned out for you!