Pastitsio

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion , chopped
• 3 cloves garlic , crushed
• 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 , 15 ounce
• 0.5 cups dry red wine
• 0.5 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 whole clove
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

2. 2

   Make the meat sauce: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir gently until onion is soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase heat and add ground beef; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, wine, broth, tomato paste, parsley, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and clove. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

3. 3

   Meanwhile prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.

4. 4

   Pour melted butter, 1/4 cup grated cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper over pasta; toss well and cool briefly. Add 2 eggs and toss again; set aside.

5. 5

   Make the béchamel: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Pour in milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cool slightly before stirring in 1 cup grated cheese, beaten egg, and egg yolk. Then stir 1/2 cup of béchamel sauce into meat sauce.

6. 6

   To assemble pastitsio: Arrange pasta in the bottom of the prepared baking dish so that all of the noodles are nicely lined up and are as level as possible for a great visual effect when serving. Spoon meat sauce over pasta; top with remaining béchamel sauce, spreading evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup grated cheese on top.

7. 7

   Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and golden brown on top, about 50 minutes.

8. 8

   Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.