Grandma's Macarons
Indulge in a delightful twist on a Catalan favorite with this creamy pasta bake, featuring a luscious béchamel sauce, savory meat, and a gooey cheese topping. Each bite is a comforting explosion of flavors, baked to golden perfection that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Get ready to savor a dish that’s both hearty and heartwarming!
Prep
15
min
Cook
60
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- nutmeg, salt, and pepper
- fresh tomato
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- butter
- Parmesan, manchego, mozzarella
- milk
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- flour
📦Other(2)
- bolognese base with garlic, onion, carrots, bay leaves, beef and pork, and a splash of wine
- macarons
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare a bolognese base with garlic, onion, carrots, bay leaves, beef and pork, and a splash of wine. Add fresh tomato and let it simmer for an hour.
- 2
While that cooks, make the béchamel sauce by combining butter, flour, and milk little by little to keep it smooth. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Mix in some béchamel into the bolognese for extra creaminess.
- 4
Add the macarons to the mixture and transfer to a tray.
- 5
Top generously with cheese.
- 6
Bake at maximum heat for 6 to 7 minutes until golden and caramelized.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Heat your milk to 140-160°F before adding to the roux for béchamel to prevent lumps and ensure smooth incorporation without breaking the emulsion.technique140-160°F
- ✓Simmer your bolognese at 185-200°F (barely bubbling) rather than a rolling boil to prevent fat separation and maintain proper emulsification.technique185-200°F
- ✓Cool your bolognese to under 140°F before mixing with béchamel to prevent the milk proteins from curdling and creating a grainy texture.timingUnder 140°F
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of aged hard cheese to fresh mozzarella on top - the aged cheese provides flavor complexity while mozzarella gives optimal browning and stretch.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Preheat your oven to maximum temperature (typically 500-550°F) and position rack in upper third to achieve proper Maillard browning in the short 6-7 minute bake time.equipment500-550°F
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
60
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
Share this recipe
Grandma's Macarons
Indulge in a delightful twist on a Catalan favorite with this creamy pasta bake, featuring a luscious béchamel sauce, savory meat, and a gooey cheese topping. Each bite is a comforting explosion of flavors, baked to golden perfection that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Get ready to savor a dish that’s both hearty and heartwarming!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- nutmeg, salt, and pepper
- fresh tomato
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- butter
- Parmesan, manchego, mozzarella
- milk
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- flour
📦Other(2)
- bolognese base with garlic, onion, carrots, bay leaves, beef and pork, and a splash of wine
- macarons
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare a bolognese base with garlic, onion, carrots, bay leaves, beef and pork, and a splash of wine. Add fresh tomato and let it simmer for an hour.
- 2
While that cooks, make the béchamel sauce by combining butter, flour, and milk little by little to keep it smooth. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Mix in some béchamel into the bolognese for extra creaminess.
- 4
Add the macarons to the mixture and transfer to a tray.
- 5
Top generously with cheese.
- 6
Bake at maximum heat for 6 to 7 minutes until golden and caramelized.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Heat your milk to 140-160°F before adding to the roux for béchamel to prevent lumps and ensure smooth incorporation without breaking the emulsion.technique140-160°F
- ✓Simmer your bolognese at 185-200°F (barely bubbling) rather than a rolling boil to prevent fat separation and maintain proper emulsification.technique185-200°F
- ✓Cool your bolognese to under 140°F before mixing with béchamel to prevent the milk proteins from curdling and creating a grainy texture.timingUnder 140°F
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of aged hard cheese to fresh mozzarella on top - the aged cheese provides flavor complexity while mozzarella gives optimal browning and stretch.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Preheat your oven to maximum temperature (typically 500-550°F) and position rack in upper third to achieve proper Maillard browning in the short 6-7 minute bake time.equipment500-550°F