Mama’s Famous Baked Macaroni (Filipino style)

So…

I found myself faced with the challenging task of choosing the perfect dish to kick off my food blog journey. After much contemplation, I decided to share a recipe that holds a special place in my heart. 💗

This dish not only showcases a delicious combination of flavors and textures, but it also carries deep sentimental value. 

It reminds me of our dear mama, who passed away due to COVID two years ago. Whenever she visited us here in Tokyo, she would lovingly prepare this dish in generous portions for me and my brother. The beauty of it was that we could freeze it, allowing us to savor her flavors and feel her presence whenever we craved a taste of home. 

This is how our mom prepares our fave. Obviously the baked one is mine and ready to eat!

By sharing this recipe, I hope to honor her memory and pass on the warmth and comfort she always brought to our lives.❤️

Plus this is a freezer friendly meal and its a perfect dish for parties and weekend dinners. Get ready to indulge in a plateful of cheesy goodness and create lasting memories around the dinner table. 

Trust me, this baked macaroni recipe will quickly become a staple in your culinary repertoire!

Remember, good food has the power to bring people together, evoke cherished memories, and create moments of joy. So gather your loved ones, preheat that oven, and let the magic of our Moms famous baked macaroni weave its comforting spell. ❤️

Enjoy every bite, savor every flavor, and relish the joy of sharing a truly special dish.

Mama’s Famous Baked Macaroni

INGREDIENTS:

1 package small elbow macaroni

MEAT SAUCE:

·        1 tablespoon canola oil

·        3 Filipino-style hotdogs, sliced diagonally

·        1 onion, peeled and diced

·        5cloves garlic, peeled and minced

·        ½ carrot, minced

·        1 ½ pounds ground beef

·        2 cups spaghetti tomato sauce

·        ½ cup tomato paste

·        1 cup beef broth

·        1 teaspoon sugar

·        1 teaspoon maggi magic sarap granules

·        salt and pepper to taste

CHEESE TOPPING:

·        ⅓ cup star margarine

·        2 packs of Nestle's all-purpose cream

·        2 cups evaporated milk

·        16 ounces Eden Cheese (or any quick-melting cheese), cubed

·        1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

·        salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

👉In a large pot over medium heat, bring about 4 quarts salted water to a boil. Add macaroni

and cook 1 to 2 minutes less than package's directions. Rinse under cold running water and

drain well.

For The Meat Sauce

👉In a pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add sliced hotdogs and cook, stirring occasionally, for

about 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.

👉Add onions and garlic on the same pot and cook until softened.

👉Add the carrots and sauté for about 5 minutes.

👉Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking apart with the back of a

spoon, for about 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Drain any excess fat.

👉Add in the spaghetti sauce, tomato paste and beef broth.

👉Stir in sugar and maggi magic sarap granules.

👉Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and continue to cook for about one hour or until meat is

fully cooked and sauce is thickened.

👉Add in the hotdogs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For  The Cheese Sauce

👉In a skillet over medium heat, melt star margarine.

👉Add in all-purpose cream and stir well until smooth.

👉Gradually add evaporated milk.

👉Add in quick-melt and cheddar cheese, whisking regularly until melted. Cook until cheese sauce is thick but spreadable. 

👉Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Assemble

👉Grease bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 baking dish (or any bake safe container) with nonstick

cooking spray and set aside.

👉In a large bowl, combine macaroni and meat sauce. Gently toss together until well

combined.

👉Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared dish. Spoon cheese sauce on top, spreading

across to cover the pasta completely.

👉Bake in a 375 oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove from oven

and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before cutting into serving portions. 

I know… You just want to dig in already but patience is a virtue! You can cut cleaner portions when cooled a

little bit.😉