Pasta Casserole (Pastitsio)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 750 g minced meat
• 400–450 g canned chopped tomatoes
• ⅓ cup tomato paste
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon beef stock powder
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1 egg, beaten lightly
• 100 g butter
• ½ cup plain flour
• 3½ cups milk
• 1 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• 2 egg yolks
• 250 g macaroni pasta (or Greek pastitsio noodles)
• 2 eggs, beaten lightly
• ¾ cup grated fresh Parmesan or Feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons stale breadcrumbs

Ingredients for 14 servings (3.3 kg) · the original recipeShow how each ingredient was counted

Method

1. 1

   Meat sauce: Heat olive oil in pan. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent.

2. 2

   Add the minced meat, and cook until well browned.

3. 3

   Add the chopped canned tomatoes, liquid and all.

4. 4

   Add the tomato paste, water, wine, beef stock powder, and cinnamon powder. Simmer uncovered until it becomes thick in consistency.

   Stovetop
5. 5

   Once thick transfer into a mixing bowl to cool.

6. 6

   Once cool, stir in egg.

7. 7

   Greek-style Bechamel sauce: Melt the butter in pan.

8. 8

   Add the flour, and stir well over heat until bubbling.

   Stovetop
9. 9

   Remove pan from heat, and gradually add the milk. The mixture will become thick and will then thin again.

   Stovetop
10. 10

    Return pan to heat, and cook until sauce bubbles then thickens.

11. 11

    Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

12. 12

    Transfer to mixing bowl and cool slightly.

13. 13

    Mix in the egg yolks.

14. 14

    Pasta mix: Boil the pasta as per directions on packet until tender.

    Stovetop
15. 15

    Drain pasta, and transfer to mixing bowl.

16. 16

    Mix the hot pasta with the Parmesan cheese and eggs.

17. 17

    Assembly: Grease baking dish.

    Oven
18. 18

    Press pasta mix into base of pan.

19. 19

    Top pasta mix with the meat sauce.

20. 20

    Pour the Bechamel sauce over the meat sauce, then smooth the top.

21. 21

    Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top.

22. 22

    In a preheated oven, bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour until golden brown.

    Oven
23. 23

    Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.