Homemade Egyptian Macarona Bechamel - Comforting Pasta Casserole

Ingredients

• A good splash of olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, rough chopped
• 10 plump garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef (90-95%)
• A heaping tablespoon of tomato paste
• 1 cup tomato passata (or your favorite tomato sauce)
• A good pinch of kosher salt
• 1 beef bouillon cube, crumbled between your fingers
• Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• A small grating of fresh nutmeg (about 1/8 teaspoon)
• A couple pinches of ground allspice
• 14 ounces of your favorite penne pasta
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 3/4 stick)
• 1 fragrant bay leaf
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk, at room temperature if possible
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 beef bouillon cube, crumbled
• A whisper of freshly grated nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon)
• A generous 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 and 1/2 cups of stretchy mozzarella cheese