Filipino family gatherings are incomplete without a steaming hot tray of baked macaroni. Many Pinoys grew up with this dish as part of their holiday traditions, so its familiar flavors are as comforting as it gets. Since it’s easy to make and only requires basic pantry staples, every family has a twist on this favorite.

This baked macaroni recipe includes Knorr Ginataang Gulay Mix to the classic tomato sauce for a much creamier texture. If you want to cut back on dairy, it's a practical hack. The gata offers the same silkiness and subtle sweetness that milk or cream adds. Plus, this instant mix comes with various spices and seasonings to pack your dish with a lot of umami.

So, are you ready to wow your family and friends with your homemade creamy baked mac? Gather these baked macaroni ingredients and get cooking.

Ingredients for Baked Macaroni with Chicken & Gata Recipe

• 4 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 pc small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500 g ground chicken
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 pack Knorr Complete Recipe Mix Ginataang Gulay, diluted in 1 cup water
• 1 pc Knorr Chicken Cube
• ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups cooked macaroni noodles
• Black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup cheese, grated

How to Cook Creamy Baked Macaroni

Step 1

Start by bringing your pan to high heat. Pour in some oil then add onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is golden brown.

Step 2

Next, add ground chicken and gently sauté until cooked through.

Step 3

Stir in tomato sauce, diluted Knorr Complete Recipe Mix Ginataang Gulay, Knorr Chicken Cube, mushrooms, and cooked macaroni noodles. Mix well until all ingredients are well-combined. Season to taste and adjust as needed.

Step 4

Serve hot on a platter with a generous topping of grated cheese.

There you have it! This creamy, flavor-packed baked macaroni is sure to be a hit at parties. The best part is you can adjust depending on the ingredients you have. Feel free to use ground beef or pork instead of chicken, add veggies like broccoli or carrots to make it more nutritious, and even sprinkle in some sugar to get the flavors closer to sweet birthday spaghetti. Looking for other quick pasta recipes to master? Try this garlic tuna pasta for a healthy, protein-packed dish, or this Pinoy-style carbonara if you can't get enough of comforting classics.