Name: Pastitsio
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 95 min
Total time: 110 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 tablespoon olive oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 750 gram beef mince; 2 400g cans chopped tomatoes; 140 gram tub tomato paste; 1 cup white wine; 1 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 cup cooked macaroni, or other short pasta of choice; Bechamel; 185 gram bitter; 1 cup plain flour; 3 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup cream; 1 1/2 cup tasty cheese, grated; 2 eggs, lightly beaten

Pastitsio

Serves 6

Makes 2 Item

Prep

15M

Cook

1H 35M

Total

1H 50M

Ingredients

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

750 gram beef mince

2 400g cans chopped tomatoes

140 gram tub tomato paste

1 cup white wine

1 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cup cooked macaroni, or other short pasta of choice

Bechamel

185 gram bitter

1 cup plain flour

3 1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup cream

1 1/2 cup tasty cheese, grated

2 eggs, lightly beaten

Method

Pastitsio

1.Preheat oven to moderate, 180°C. Lightly grease two 2-litre lasagne dishes.

2.Heat oil in a large saucepan on high. Saute onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes, until tender. Add mince and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned, breaking up lumps.

3.Stir in tomatoes, paste, wine, herbs and cinnamon. Season to taste. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 40-45 minutes, until thick. Cool. Place pasta in a large bowl and stir sauce through.

4.Make Bechamel Sauce using method below.

5.Spoon pasta mixture evenly between dishes. Pour cheese sauce over, spreading evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden.

Bechamel

6.Melt butter in a large saucepan over high heat. Add flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Gradually add milk and cream, stirring until smooth. Return to heat and cook, stirring until sauce boils and thickens. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in cheese and eggs.

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