Pastitsio

Serves: 4

Irma Bergnaum

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

53

Spice

47

Sweetness

54

Sourness

38

mins

Prep time (avg)

5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

450 g

Ziti

450 g

Ground Beef

2 tbsps

Breadcrumbs

4 tbsps

Unsalted Butter

Directions:

1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil

3

Add the pasta and cook as the label directs

4

Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat

5

Add the meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes

6

Add the onion and cinnamon and cook until the onion is soft, about 5 more minutes

7

Add the Worcestershire sauce and wine and cook until the wine starts to evaporate, about 2 more minutes

8

Add the tomato sauce, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and bring to a simmer

9

Stir in the parsley and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes

10

Stir in 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs and remove from the heat

11

When the pasta is done, drain and return to the pot off the heat; stir in the butter, then the beaten eggs and 1 cup cheese until the pasta is coated

12

Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil

13

Spread half of the pasta in the dish, then top with the meat filling and the remaining pasta

14

Make the bechamel: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat

15

Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, 1 minute

16

(Do not let the flour brown

17

) Whisk in the yogurt and 3/4 cup water and gently simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 5 more minutes

18

(Do not let the mixture boil

19

) Remove from the heat and whisk in the eggs, nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt

20

Pour the bechamel evenly over the pasta in the baking dish

21

Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup cheese and 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs and bake until golden, 40 to 45 minutes

22

Let rest 10 minutes before serving

23

Photograph by Con Poulos