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

1. Preheat oven to 375 and grease/spray a 13x9 baking dish.
2. In a large skillet - brown ground beef and onion.
3. Drain.
4. Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Add in tomato sauce, wine, can of undrained diced tomatoes and seasonings.
6. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Taste - adjust seasoning if desired.
8. While meat is simmering - cook pasta.
9. Do not overcook - pasta should be just shy of al dente.
10. Drain pasta.
11. Return pasta to pot and mix in olive oil, 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.
12. Now start the bechamel/white sauce.
13. In a large saucepan melt butter over medium heat.
14. Add in flour and whisk until it's a smooth paste.
15. Cook for a minute or two but do not brown.
16. Slowly add in milk and cook for a few minutes, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens.
17. Remove from heat.
18. Season to taste with salt, pepper & a bit of nutmeg.
19. Mix in 2 beaten eggs & remaining 1 cup of parmesan cheese.
20. This will be a very thick sauce - if it's too thick to work with you can add a bit more milk.
21. Assembly time : ) Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish - make sure bottom is completely covered.
22. Evenly spread the entire meat mixture over bottom pasta layer.
23. Top meat with remaining pasta.
24. Pour the bechamel/sauce on top of noodles.
25. With a spoon spread sauce making sure to get edges and corners.
26. Sauce should be nearly to top of casserole dish - you may have a little leftover.
27. Bake for 45 minutes - top will be golden brown.
28. Let rest for 20 minutes before cutting.
29. Enjoy : )

ground beef, onion, clove garlic, tomato sauce, red wine, petite diced tomatoes, parsley, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, pasta macaroni, eggs, parmesan cheese, olive oil, butter, flour, milk

Taken from cookpad.com/us/recipes/359783-pastitsio-greek-pasta-bake (may not work)