pastitsio greek pasta bake

Ingredients pastitsio greek pasta bake

2 lb ground beef or lamb
1 large onion - diced
2 clove garlic - minced
1 cup tomato sauce (approx 1 - 8 oz can)
1/2 cup dry red wine - I use shiraz
1 can petite diced tomatoes (14.5 oz can)
1 tbsp parsley
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb pasta - macaroni or ziti
4 eggs - divided
1 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese - divided
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup ap flour
3 cup milk

how to make pastitsio greek pasta bake

Preheat oven to 375° and grease/spray a 13x9 baking dish.

In a large skillet - brown ground beef and onion. Drain. Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Add in tomato sauce, wine, can of undrained diced tomatoes and seasonings. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste - adjust seasoning if desired.

While meat is simmering - cook pasta. Do not overcook - pasta should be just shy of al dente.

Drain pasta. Return pasta to pot and mix in olive oil, 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.

Now start the bechamel/white sauce. In a large saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add in flour and whisk until it's a smooth paste. Cook for a minute or two but do not brown.

Slowly add in milk and cook for a few minutes, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens.

Remove from heat. Season to taste with salt, pepper & a bit of nutmeg. Mix in 2 beaten eggs & remaining 1 cup of parmesan cheese. This will be a very thick sauce - if it's too thick to work with you can add a bit more milk.

Assembly time : ) Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish - make sure bottom is completely covered.

Evenly spread the entire meat mixture over bottom pasta layer.

Top meat with remaining pasta.

Pour the bechamel/sauce on top of noodles. With a spoon spread sauce making sure to get edges and corners. Sauce should be nearly to top of casserole dish - you may have a little leftover.

Bake for 45 minutes - top will be golden brown. Let rest for 20 minutes before cutting. Enjoy : )