Pasta Casserole (Pastitsio)

Ingredients

• •2 tablespoons olive oil
• •2 medium onions , chopped
• •750 g minced meat
• •400–450 g canned chopped tomatoes
• •⅓ cup tomato paste
• •½ cup water
• •¼ cup dry white wine
• •1 tablespoon beef stock powder
• •½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• •1 egg , beaten lightly
• •100 g butter
• •½ cup plain flour
• •3½ cups milk
• •1 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• •2 egg yolks
• •250 g macaroni pasta (or Greek pastitsio noodles)
• •2 eggs, beaten lightly
• •¾ cup grated fresh Parmesan or Feta cheese
• •2 tablespoons stale breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. 1Heat olive oil in pan. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
2. 2Add the minced meat, and cook until well browned.
3. 3Add the chopped canned tomatoes, liquid and all.
4. 4Add the tomato paste, water, wine, beef stock powder, and cinnamon powder. Simmer uncovered until it becomes thick in consistency.
5. 5Once thick transfer into a mixing bowl to cool.
6. 6Once cool, stir in egg.
7. 7Melt the butter in pan.
8. 8Add the flour, and stir well over heat until bubbling.
9. 9Remove pan from heat, and gradually add the milk. The mixture will become thick and will then thin again.
10. 10Return pan to heat, and cook until sauce bubbles then thickens.
11. 11Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
12. 12Transfer to mixing bowl and cool slightly.
13. 13Mix in the egg yolks.
14. 14Boil the pasta as per directions on packet until tender.
15. 15Drain pasta, and transfer to mixing bowl.
16. 16Mix the hot pasta with the Parmesan cheese and eggs.
17. 17Grease baking dish.
18. 18Press pasta mix into base of pan.
19. 19Top pasta mix with the meat sauce.
20. 20Pour the Bechamel sauce over the meat sauce, then smooth the top.
21. 21Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top.
22. 22In a preheated oven , bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour until golden brown.
23. 23Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.