Pastitsio

From Southern Living. A traditional Greek dish made of pasta, beef, cinnamon, tomatoes, and a white sauce.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 8  ounces ziti pasta, cooked and drained
• 3  tablespoons butter or 3  tablespoons margarine
• 2 (3 ounce) packages  shredded parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 1⁄2 lbs  ground round
• 1  medium onion, diced
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 4  cups milk
• 2  large eggs

Directions

1. Toss pasta with 3 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese; set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground round, onion, and garlic; stirring to crumble meat; cook until meat is no longer pink; drain.
3. Stir in tomato sauce, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, cinnamon, and pepper.
4. In a heavy saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over low heat.
5. Whisk in flour.
6. Cook and whisk constantly for 1 minute.
7. Whisk in milk; cook and whisk constantly over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
8. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; remove from heat.
9. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until thick and pale.
10. Whisk about 1/4 milk mixture into eggs; add to remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly.
11. To assemble: spoon pasta mixture into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
12. Spoon beef mixture over pasta.
13. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.
14. Top with cream sauce.
15. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until golden.