Pastitsio

Name: Pastitsio
Ingredients: 1 (8-ounce) package elbow macaroni; 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided; 2 pounds ground lamb; 2 small onions, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 (16-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped; 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 3 eggs, beaten; 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, divided; 1 large eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices; Olive oil; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3 1/2 cups warm milk; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 4 eggs, beaten; 1 (15-ounce) carton ricotta cheese

19 ingredients

7 steps

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) package elbow macaroni
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
2 pounds ground lamb
2 small onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (16-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
Olive oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups warm milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 eggs, beaten
1 (15-ounce) carton ricotta cheese

Directions

1

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain well, and set aside.
2

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven. Add lamb, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender. Drain off pan drippings; discard.
3

Add tomatoes, oregano, nutmeg, and cinnamon to Dutch oven. Simmer, uncovered, 40 minutes or until liquid has evaporated; cool.
4

Add 3 eggs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and macaroni, mixing well. Spread macaroni mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9- x 2-inch baking dish.
5

Brush both sides of eggplant with olive oil. Place on a baking sheet; broil 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Layer eggplant slices over macaroni mixture; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
6

Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, salt, and pepper, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat.
7

Gradually stir one-fourth of hot mixture into 4 eggs; add to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly. Add ricotta cheese; blend well. Pour over eggplant-macaroni mixture. Bake at 325° for 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.