Macarona Forn Full Recipe
Introduction
Macarona Forn is a beloved Middle Eastern baked pasta dish—creamy, comforting, and deeply flavorful. Popular in Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, and many Arab households, this dish is similar to an Arabic-style lasagna or baked ziti but with its own unique taste.
It features:
perfectly cooked pasta
a rich spiced beef or chicken mixture
a creamy béchamel sauce (or cheese topping)
baked until golden, bubbly, and irresistible
Simple ingredients, warm spices, and a smooth white sauce make this a true family favorite. It’s filling, kid-friendly, and perfect for gatherings or weekend dinners.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
For the Pasta
400 g (about 1 pack) penne or macaroni
Salt for boiling
1 tbsp oil
For the Meat Sauce
500 g ground beef or chicken
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup tomato sauce (passata)
2 tbsp tomato paste
½ cup water
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cinnamon (key Middle Eastern flavor)
1 tsp allspice
Salt to taste
Optional: pinch of chili flakes
For the Béchamel Sauce
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
Salt and pepper
Pinch of nutmeg (optional but very good)
1 cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional, for a cheesy version)
For Topping
Extra cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
Sprinkle of paprika (optional)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add pasta and cook until just al dente (slightly firm; do NOT overcook).
Drain, toss with 1 tbsp oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
Make the Meat Sauce
Heat olive oil in a pan.
Add chopped onions and sauté 3 minutes.
Add garlic and cook another 1 minute.
Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Add spices:
cinnamon
allspice
paprika
black pepper
salt
Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
Mix well and simmer 10 minutes until thick and rich.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Make the Béchamel Sauce
Melt butter in a saucepan.
Add flour and whisk 1–2 minutes until smooth (do not brown).
Slowly pour in milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Cook 5–7 minutes until thick and creamy.
Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
(Optional) Add 1 cup cheese for a richer sauce.
Assemble the Macarona Forn
Option A – Traditional Layered Style
Spread half the pasta in a greased baking dish.
Add all the meat sauce.
Top with the remaining pasta.
Pour béchamel sauce over the top evenly.
Add cheese on top.
Option B – Mixed Style (Simplest)
Mix pasta + meat sauce together.
Pour into baking dish.
Cover with béchamel.
Sprinkle cheese.
Bake
Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until:
top is golden
edges are bubbly
For extra browning, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Tips for Perfect Macarona Forn
Do NOT overcook the pasta—it should be slightly firm.
Cinnamon and allspice give it the authentic Middle Eastern flavor.
Add a little cheese to the béchamel for creaminess.
If the béchamel looks too thick, add a splash of milk.
Let it rest 5–10 minutes before cutting to hold its shape.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with simple salad:
fattoush
cucumber-yogurt salad
Arabic salad
Pair with pickles or olives.
Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and Ramadan meals.