Baked Macaroni is a pasta dish that makes use of elbow macaroni as the primary ingredient. At first look, this could be mistaken as the famous Macaroni and Cheese but there is more to this dish than just having pasta and cheese.
Meat is one of its most important components. Ground beef is usually used but others prefer ground pork, ground chicken, and even minced ham. Being a tomato based pasta, Baked Macaroni uses diced tomatoes (or tomato sauce) and tomato paste as well. Capsicum (or bell pepper) and paprika are optionally added to add more flavor and aroma.
The description above makes a regular Baked Macaroni but adding the Mornay sauce (or white sauce as we usually call it) makes it more special. This is a cheese and milk sauce made by combining a roux with milk and adding parmesan and gruyere cheese (or sharp cheddar if gruyere is not available). Then you’ll have rich and creamy pasta ready for baking.
This is delightful for meat lovers. There are also other options if you prefer pasta with seafood. Shrimp Alfredo Pasta with Scallops is a nice dish to try. A simpler dish that tastes as good is what I call Garlic Shrimp Pasta. All these dishes are certified awesome.
For the meantime, try this Baked Macaroni recipe. Happy cooking!
Baked Macaroni Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
Meat Sauce:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 ½ cup diced tomatoes canned
- 1 small onions diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
- 1/2 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
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese
- 2 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- 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!
Vanjo Merano says
All up to you, Kristine. I will still recommend that you follow the exact recipe.
Marco says
Made this today! Best baked mac ever! Minodify ko lang po nang kaunti yung recipe to suit what we have on hand: bottled pasta sauce instead of tomatoes, 1/2 lb ground pork instead of 1 lb ground beef, no paprika and beef cube, quickmelt cheese and a dash of ground nutmeg for the mornay sauce (omitted the parmesan). Still turned out great! This is a keeper for us. Salamat po sa recipe. 🙂
Vanjo Merano says
You are welcome, Marco.
Ma Lee Alpuerto says
I have all the ingredients here for baked Mac except canned tomatoes sad to say its not available
Here in our place..can I use tomatoe sauce instead? I’ll be cooking it for our Noche buena tonite so it’s like I need to know your answer chef..Merry Christmas! And by the way, is full cream milk ok? Thanks agen..
Vanjo Merano says
I guess this did not make it on time, but yes you can use tomato sauce. You are very welcome and hope to hear from you soon.
Jenny Sison says
Hello I just wanna ask, my oven is only until 250 degrees, may i know how can I timed it if you’re baking it 15-20mins in a 350 degrees oven?
Thanks, btw been using most of your recipes and it did me great.
Vanjo Merano says
Jenny, can you check if your oven is in Fahrenheit. Your oven must be in Celsius; if this is the case then you need to convert 350F to C and that will be your oven temp (around 177C if that is the case).
Pipo says
I’m an avid lurker of your site and I’ve tried a lot of your recipes which were all amazing. Now, my question is if I use chicken rather than beef, are there any difference in the ingredients or the amount you put in?
Vanjo Merano says
Pipo, nice to see you in the open. There shouldn’t be any changes with the amount of ingredients. Use the recipe as it is with the exception of ground beef.
ANNA LYN NATIVIDAD says
wazuuup!!!tnx 4 sharing dis yummmy baked macaroni recipE,,,”PERPECT” nkakalaway as in ever,,,hmmmp ty uli
lheoh says
i try to make this recipe on sunday… my bday surprise for my hubby…. hope it will be successful… thanks in advance for this recipe 🙂 more power!
maan says
hi vanjo greetings!!! you know everytime I feel bored I just open my computer and I always look on your site especially on your menu and I find it all very interesting…although there are lots of procedures beside you on “youtube” but I only find yours more easy and simple to cope with… I’ll try this recipe on my bday on feb.2…ummm Im excited to make this one… “baked macaroni” one of my favorite!!! more power to you vanjo
Diane Cainglet says
On a Friday night, my daughter and I thought of something yummy to eat and well baked macaroni came first so we started google searching and studied your recipe. Three hours passed and we are full, gastronomic cravings sated, was uber delicioso and perfected it for a beginner like me. Thank you so much and keep it up.
rc says
Thank you! I remember my mom making this; but she doesn’t remember how to make it anymore! So, I’ll flip this one to her hoping she’ll cook this for us again =)
Dion Santos says
I exactly followed your recipe it’s so good if my friends didn’t devour it quickly I was supposed to take photos :))
kikai says
hi ian! was wondering kung naging ‘matagumpay’ ung quick melt cheese instead of the parmesan. thanks! will cook this tom and don’t think we have parmesan cheese avail nearby. hope to hear from you very soon. thanks!
Ian Perez says
Hi kikai! sorry late response, i’ve tried it,at yes,it worked for me 🙂 Hope yung sayo ganun din. 😉
Malou says
Hi Sir Vanjo,
I have a question is your Panlasang Pinoy Cookbook volume 1 recipe is free? Thanks.
no-comment says
hi all, i followed this recipe and turned out great! I don’t even have an oven so i baked it in microwave oven for 8mins max temp(not sure if this is right) but turned out great! Many said it would not ‘bake’ it using microwave but it did. I just made sure macaroni was fully cooked and mornay sauce was thick enough. Im very satisified by the outcome coz i wasn’t hoping a good outcome coz i googled and many said microwave won’t bake it. Also, i wasn’t able to find sharp cheddar(i didn,t know what it is until i googled but even if i do, store i went to doesn’t have it so I used kraft cheddar cheese & parmesan). Love it! Thanks!!
May says
Hi Kuya! Can I use crushed tomatoes (canned) to substitute diced tomatoes, its not always available in stores here at Doha… 🙂 thanks!
Vanjo Merano says
Yes May, you can use crushed tomatoes.
angela says
good day sir vanjo..can we cook ds n a microwave? tnx
Vanjo Merano says
This is good for 5 to 6 persons.
chris allarde says
Hi Vanjo, Can I use microwave I don’t have oven either.
jayzone says
hi, can i use turbo broiler instead of oven for this recipe? don’t have oven:(
erik says
Hi,
We are gathering ingredients so we can try your recipe, but we cant find diced tomatoes here in Angeles City. What is the substitute for it? Thanks in advanced for your reply.
Jane says
Hi. Just came across your post. I use Hunt’s diced tomatoes. You should be able to find this at SM City. There are other brands available but I like Hunt’s better. Cook away!
ajhel says
Hi,
Vanjo I’ve been cooking this recipe three months ago,and im so happy coz they always request this in every occasion,I made it perfectly they love it thanks to you and this site… 🙂