Yia Yia’s - Pasticcio #pasticcio #greekfood #pasta

Ingredients:

For the meat sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 kg ground beef
- 3/4 700ml Passatta
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste

For the pasta:
- 1 full packet 500g penne pasta
- 1 tablespoons butter

For the béchamel sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk, warmed
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 Cup of tasty Cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven** to 350°F (175°C).

2. Make the meat sauce:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
- Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the Passatta, cinnamon, and Nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes until thickened. Set aside.

3. Cook the pasta:
- Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
- Stir in the butter.

4. Prepare the béchamel sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute.
- Gradually whisk in the warm milk, and continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Season with nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Whisk in beaten egg until smooth.
- add cup of tasty cheese and stir in warm

5. Assemble the pastitsio:
- In a large baking dish, layer half of the pasta on the bottom. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the pasta.
- Top with the remaining pasta. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top, smoothing it out with a spatula.

6. Bake:
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

7. Cool and serve:
- Let the pastitsio cool for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set, making it easier to serve.

Enjoy your delicious homemade pastitsio with a side of Greek salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal!