BIG OLE BILL'S GREEK PASTITSIO

Big Ole Bill's Greek Pastitsio image

Provided by Bill Heleine

Categories Pasta

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 17

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12 oz penne pasta
2 lb ground beef
1 large sweet or white onion
12 oz shredded parmesan cheese
3 clove garlic finely chopped
2 Tbsp butter
14 1/2 oz can of diced tomatoes in sauce
8 oz can of tomato sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
FOR THE BECHAMEL SAUCE
2/3 c flour
1/2 c cubed butter
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
4 c milk

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Boil the Penne Pasta until it is al dente (11 minutes). Drain. Toss with 2 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese and set aside.
3. In a skillet, cook the hamburger and onion until the hamburger is no longer pink. Drain the grease. Add the garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, and cinnamon. Stir for 2 minutes until well combined.
4. Layer one half of the pasta into a greased 9 X 13 baking dish. Cover with half of the meat mixture and 1/2 a cup of the parmesan cheese. Repeat these layers a second time.
5. In a medium sauce pan, melt the 1/2 cup of butter on medium low heat. Stir in the salt, pepper and flour. Mix until it is smooth. Slowly add in the milk while stirring. Bring to a low boil and stir until it thickens, about 1 to 3 minutes.
6. Put the eggs in a small bowl and temper them by whisking a small amount of the hot sauce into the eggs for a few seconds. Add the eggs to the sauce mixture in the medium pan and whisk constantly while it cooks for 2 more minutes.
7. Pour the sauce over the layers of pasta and meat. Top with the remaining parmesan cheese.
8. Bake covered for 20 minutes. Take the cover off and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes until the top is a light golden brown.