Greek · 1 hr 30 min · serves 4

Pastitsio (Baked Greek Pasta with Beef)

Kept by The Bhook kitchen

Ingredients

• 350 g tubular pasta (like bucatini or penne)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 400 g ground beef
• 400 g canned chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 50 g butter
• 50 g plain flour
• 500 ml milk
• 80 g grated hard cheese (kefalotyri or parmesan)
• 1 egg

Method

1. Heat oven to 180°C.
2. Boil the pasta until just firm to the bite, then drain. Pasta should hold its shape.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan, add chopped onion and garlic, cook until soft and fragrant.
4. Add the beef, stir until browned, then add tomatoes and cinnamon. Simmer until thick with little liquid left.
5. For the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add milk gradually, stirring, until you have a smooth, thick sauce.
6. Take sauce off heat, stir in most of the cheese and the egg. It should be creamy and slightly thick.
7. Layer pasta, then meat, then pour the sauce over. Sprinkle with leftover cheese. Bake 40 minutes, surface should be golden and set.

Let it cool a little before slicing or it will fall apart.