Pastitsio

Categories: Greek, June2013, Main dish, ground beef, pasta

Ingredients

• 4 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 Tbs. chopped parsley
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 c. white wine
• 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes w/ their juices
• 1 lb. Rigatoni (or any short pasta)
• ~2 Tbs. butter
• 1/2 tsp. dried mint
• 1 Tbs. bread crumbs
• ---
• 4 oz. butter
• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 4 c. warm milk
• freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

1. Tessa uses an oval-shaped baking dish that is 14" long, 10" wide, and 2½" deep. It fits exactly in this pan, I used my lasagna pan which measures 12″ × 8½" x 2½" and it fit exactly. Try to use a pan that is approximately one of these sizes.

2. Heat oil in a large, nonstick pan and fry onion until soft and just beginning to color. Add parsley and garlic and cook for a few more seconds, then add both of the ground meats. Continue to cook until all moisture is evaporated and the meat is beginning to brown. Season with salt and pepper, then add the bay leaf and cinnamon. When it begins to fry in the oil and brown, add wine and cook until evaporated. Add tomatoes and ~1 cup of water and continue to cook over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until most of the moisture has evaporated, but the meat should not be too dry. Remove from heat.

3. Preheat oven to 350° F. Cook pasta in boiling, salted water for 2 minutes less than it says on the package. Drain and put in a bowl. Mix in the butter, crumble the mint between your fingers and add it, and toss in the bread crumbs. Mix well and spoon half over the bottom of your greased baking dish. Pour the meat mixture over the top so it evenly covers the pasta. Add the remaining pasta over the top in an even layer. Press down with a wooden spoon so that it is fairly compact. Set aside and make the bechamel sauce.

4. Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for a few minutes, stirring. Drizzle in warm milk slowly, whisking constantly. Season with salt and pepper, and grate in some fresh nutmeg. Continue cooking for ~5 minutes or so after it comes to a boil, until very thick and smooth. Pour bechamel over the whole dish evenly. This should fit exactly in the dish. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is nicely golden in parts. Cool a bit before cutting into squares to serve, giving it time to set up.

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