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Macarona Forn

A delicious Maltese baked macaroni dish featuring a spiced meat sauce layered with a thick béchamel and topped with a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Maltese, Mediterranean
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 500 g macaroni pasta (penne, ziti, or any tubular pasta) The tube shape captures the meat sauce inside each piece.
  • Salt Salt for the pasta cooking water
For the Spiced Meat Sauce
  • 500 g ground beef or ground lamb (or a mixture of both) For a more traditional flavor, use ground lamb.
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 400 g tomato sauce (passata or canned crushed tomatoes)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Do not skip; it's the flavor signature of the dish.
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking
For the Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 cups whole milk 960ml
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 113g
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 60g
  • Salt and white pepper to taste
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional but traditional)
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten For incorporating into the béchamel.
For the Cheese Topping
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a full rolling boil. Add the macaroni and cook until 2 minutes short of the packet's al dente time. Drain the pasta, toss with olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
Make the Spiced Meat Sauce
  1. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 5–6 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 60 seconds, stirring constantly.
  3. Add ground beef or lamb and break into smaller pieces. Cook until browned, about 8–10 minutes.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes, then add tomato sauce and season with cinnamon, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until thick.
Make the Béchamel Sauce
  1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to combine into a roux. Cook for 2 minutes.
  2. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth, then continue cooking until thickened, about 5–8 minutes. Season with salt, white pepper, and nutmeg.
  3. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly, and quickly whisk in beaten eggs.
Assemble the Macarona Forn
  1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a large baking dish. Combine pasta with meat sauce and spread into the dish.
  2. Pour béchamel over pasta, then top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake Until Golden and Set
  1. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

When making Macarona Forn, ensure the béchamel is thick and the cinnamon is not omitted. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.