Ingredients
10 servings
- •2 tablespoons butter
- •1 large onion, chopped
- •1 clove garlic, crushed
- •1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- •1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- •0.5 cup dry red wine
- •0.5 cup vegetable broth
- •0.25 cup tomato paste
- •2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- •1 cinnamon stick
- •1 whole clove
- •salt and pepper to taste
- •1 pound dry ziti pasta
- •4 tablespoons butter
- •0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- •1 dash ground nutmeg
- •salt and pepper to taste
- •1/4 teaspoon pepper
- •3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- •0.5 cup butter
- •0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- •3 cups milk
- •0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- •1/4 teaspoon salt
- •1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- •0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- •1 large egg, lightly beaten
- •1 egg yolk
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and golden brown on top, about 50 minutes.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
Nutritional Facts
Per 10 servings
- Calories: 556
- Carbohydrate: 22g
- Fat: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Sugar: 8g