Ingredients for Baked Pasta (Fırın Makarna)
- 1 package baked pasta (thick pasta for baking)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 500 ml (about 2 cups) milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 water glass (about 200 ml / 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp) grated kaşar cheese (Turkish semi-hard cheese, similar to mild cheddar)
How to Make Baked Pasta (Fırın Makarna)
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the thick baking pasta — thicker than spaghetti — whole into the boiling water. Boil the pasta for about 15 minutes. Drain the pasta without rinsing and transfer it to an oven-safe glass baking dish greased with butter.
In a saucepan, lightly sauté 3 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of flour. (Do not over-sauté.) Add 500 ml (about 2 cups) of milk and 2 egg yolks, then whisk together while cooking. (This prevents lumps from forming.) Add 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper and stir to combine. (If the sauce is too thick, add more milk.)
Pour the slightly fluid béchamel sauce evenly over the boiled pasta in the baking dish. Gently fold together using a wooden spoon. Sprinkle 1 water glass of grated kaşar cheese over the top, then bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) until the top is golden brown. Serve hot.
