Pastitsio

Name: Pastitsio
Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup chopped onion; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic; Freshly ground black pepper; 2 bay leaves; 2 cinnamon sticks; 3 to 4 whole cloves; 2 pounds ground beef (80/20); Salt; 1/2 cup peeled and chopped fresh tomatoes; 1 tablespoon tomato puree; 1 tablespoon margarine, melted; 1 pound ziti, cooked; 1 egg, beaten; 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for topping; Bechamel Sauce, recipe follows; 1 quart milk; 1 cup (2 sticks) margarine; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, beaten; 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; Freshly ground nutmeg

23 ingredients

16 steps

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
Freshly ground black pepper
2 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks
3 to 4 whole cloves
2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
Salt
1/2 cup peeled and chopped fresh tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato puree
1 tablespoon margarine, melted
1 pound ziti, cooked
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for topping
Bechamel Sauce, recipe follows
1 quart milk
1 cup (2 sticks) margarine
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly ground nutmeg

Directions

1

In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil, onion, garlic, black pepper, to taste, the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and cloves and saute for a few minutes.
2

Add the ground beef, stirring continuously, until all the meat is cooked and browned.
3

Stir in salt, to taste, fresh tomato and tomato puree.
4

Let simmer for about 20 minutes, then remove the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks and the whole cloves.
5

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
6

Brush a large casserole dish generously with melted margarine.
7

Add the cooked ziti, beaten egg, cheese and the meat mixture.
8

Mix until well combined.
9

Top with Bechamel Sauce and sprinkle with more grated Parmigiano.
10

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes in the preheated oven.
11

Remove from the oven and serve.
12

Heat the milk in medium saucepan over low heat.
13

In separate medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the margarine, then add the flour and mix well.
14

Stir in the heated milk, beaten eggs, cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg, to taste.
15

Whisk until thickened.
16

Keep warm until ready to use.