Kittencal S Greek Pastitsio

Description

To save some time the meat sauce may be made up to a day ahead if desired, try to use extra-lean ground beef for this it will make a difference in flavor, small penne pasta may be replaced for the ziti, but i do recommend using the ziti, adjust the chili flakes to suit heat level, or you may omit if desired — also see my recipe#66596

Ingredients

• Ziti Pasta
• Butter
• Parmesan Cheese
• Nutmeg
• Seasoning Salt
• Ground Black Pepper
• Eggs
• Olive Oil
• Onion
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• Garlic
• Extra Lean Ground Beef
• Tomato Paste
• Dry Red Wine
• Beef Broth
• All-purpose Flour
• Cayenne Pepper
• 18% Table Cream
• Egg

Instructions

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
4. Drain and return the cooked pasta to the pot
5. 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
6. Mix until combined then allow to cool slightly
7. Add in eggs and mix well
8. Set aside
9. For the meat sauce
10. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat
11. Add in onion and crushed chili flakes, cook for about 4 minutes
12. Add in garlic and cook for 2 minutes
13. Add in extra lean ground beef
14. Cook breaking up the meat with a spoon or fork until browned
15. Add in tomato paste, wine, beef broth, salt and pepper
16. Mix well, then cover and simmer over low heat for about 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally
17. Meanwhile while the meat sauce is cooking prepare the bechamel sauce
18. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat
19. Stir in flour and cayenne pepper
20. Cook stirring for about 2 minutes
21. Add in cream and nutmeg
22. Bring to a boil whisking / stirring constantly then cook for about 1 minute
23. Cool for about 10 minutes before whisking in the egg
24. Season with salt and black pepper
25. Remove about 1 / 2 cup bechamel sauce and mix into to the already cooked ground beef mixture
26. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f
27. To assemble
28. Spoon half of the ziti mixture into the bottom of the baking dish
29. Top the ziti mixture with all of the meat sauce, then top with remaining ziti mixture
30. Pour all the bechamel sauce over the ziti mixture then spread out with a spoon to cover
31. Top with about 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
32. Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until golden brown
33. Allow to rest for about 20 minutes before slicing