Kittencal's Greek Pastitsio

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 lb uncooked ziti pasta
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt or 1/2 teaspoon white salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 -2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
• 1 1/2 lbs extra lean ground beef
• 1/3 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry red
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 3 cups 18% table cream or 3 cups half-and-half cream
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (or to taste) or 1/2 teaspoon white salt (or to taste)
• ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees f.
• 2 grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• 3 in a large pot cook the pasta in boiling water with 1 tablespoons salt until al dente; drain and return the cooked pasta to the pot.
• 4 to the pasta add in 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, pinch nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; mix until combined then allow to cool slightly.
• 5 add in eggs and mix well; set aside.
• 6 for the meat sauce; heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat; add in onion and crushed chili flakes, cook for about 4 minutes.
• 7 add in garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
• 8 add in extra lean ground beef; cook breaking up the meat with a spoon or fork until browned.
• 9 add in tomato paste, , beef broth, salt and pepper; mix well, then cover and simmer over low heat for about 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 10 meanwhile while the meat sauce is cooking prepare the bechamel sauce; melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour and cayenne pepper; cook stirring for about 2 minutes.
• 11 add in cream and nutmeg; bring to a boil whisking/stirring constantly then cook for about 1 minute.
• 12 cool for about 10 minutes before whisking in the egg.
• 13 season with salt and black pepper.
• 14 remove about 1/2 cup bechamel sauce and mix into to the already cooked ground beef mixture.
• 15 preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
• 16 to assemble; spoon half of the ziti mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
• 17 top the ziti mixture with all of the meat sauce, then top with remaining ziti mixture.
• 18 pour all the bechamel sauce over the ziti mixture then spread out with a spoon to cover.
• 19 top with about 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (can use more or less).
• 20 bake for about 50-60 minutes or until golden brown.
• 21 allow to rest for about 20 minutes before slicing.