Best 2 Beef Pastitsio Recipes

BEEF PASTITSIO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat oil in a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until cooked through and browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes; bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until thickened slightly, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al-dente, about 2 minutes less than box instructions. Drain; set aside.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly golden and beginning to smell nutty, about 2 minutes. Gradually add milk, then cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat; whisk in nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Stir in egg yolk to combine.
• Arrange pasta in an even layer in bottom of dish. Spoon meat sauce over pasta. Spoon béchamel over meat sauce; sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake until top is golden and set, and mixture is bubbling in the center, about 45 minutes. Let stand at least 30 minutes before serving.

BEEF PASTITSIO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, oregano, pepper and garlic. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. , Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse. , In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, cheese and egg; set aside. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add the milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in cheese and salt. , Spoon half of the macaroni mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Spread with meat mixture; top with remaining macaroni mixture. Pour cheese mixture over top. , Bake at 350°, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.