Pastitsio

19 ingredients
6 steps

Ingredients

  • For the pasta and meat
  • 1 pound dried penne or ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 pounds ground lamb
  • 2 medium onions, diced
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 16 ounces can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground sumac (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint (optional)
  • 2 cups water
  • 6 ounces crumbled feta
  • For the cheese sauce
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. 1
    Cook the pasta according to package directions, drain and reserve. Stir in the butter to prevent sticking.
  2. 2
    In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook the lamb until no longer pink, breaking it into pieces, about 8 minutes. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. 3
    Transfer to a colander and shake well to drain the fat. Return the lamb to the pan, add the wine and cook over medium heat until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the tomato paste, cinnamon, oregano, (sumac and mint if using) and 2 cups of water. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.
  4. 4
    For the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until incorporated, about 30 seconds. In a slow steady stream, whisk in the milk until there are no lumps. Cook, whisking often, until the mixture is thick and bubbly and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 - 7 minutes. Stir in the cayenne and the Parmesan.
  5. 5
    When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  6. 6
    Add the pasta to the lamb mixture and stir to combine. Toss in the feta and combine. Spoon the mixture into a greased 9 x13 inch baking dish. Spread the cheese sauce over the pasta mixture, smoothing the top with a spoon. Bake until browned in spots, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven then allow to cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

Products Matching These Ingredients

Garofalo Gluten Free Pasta

Garofalo Gluten Free Pasta

Garofalo

B NOVA 4

Serious Meat Pizza

Papa John's Salad & Produce

Vegetarian meat substitute

E NOVA 4

Vegetarian meat substitute bits

D NOVA 4

Penne rigate, whole wheat macaroni product

A NOVA 1

Mostaccioli Pasta, Enriched Macaroni Product

Spartan

A NOVA 1

Enriched macaroni product, penne rigate, traditional

Spartan

A NOVA 1

Enriched macaroni product, rigatoni pasta, traditional

Spartan

A NOVA 1

Organic Penne Pasta

Gardentime

Ziti, enriched macaroni product

A NOVA 1

Enriched macaroni product, ziti

A NOVA 1

Ziti Chicken & Broccoli

Alfredo

More Recipes to Try

Country Cornbread

7 ingredients

Strawberry Pizza

1 ingredient

Zippy Carrots

7 ingredients

Moon Cake

9 ingredients

Meat Loaf

12 ingredients

Cold Beet Soup

7 ingredients

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

8 ingredients

Sweet Potato Souffle

10 ingredients

Vegetable Bars

12 ingredients

Hot Buttered Rum

9 ingredients

Cavatini

7 ingredients

Ground Beef Stroganoff

8 ingredients