Greek Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)


Ingredients:
2 cups bucatini or ziti pasta
3 Tablespoons melted butter
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried mint flakes (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 Tablespoons butter
4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cook pasta.
Drain, and return to pan.
Stir in the melted butter, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup milk, and the egg.
Set aside.

In a a skillet or large saucepan, cook ground beef and onion until meat is done and the 
onion is soft.
Drain fat.

Stir in tomato sauce, the 1 teaspoon salt, mint flakes (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper;
 set aside.

In a saucepan, melt 4 Tablespoons butter.
Mix in flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Slowly stir in the 2 cups milk, stirring well after each addition to avoid lumps.

Cook and stir on medium high until cream sauce starts to thicken.
Stir for one more minute and remove from heat.

Beat egg in a small bowl.
Pour into cream sauce, stirring briskly.
Blend in the 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.

Layer half of the pasta mixture in a 11 x 7 (or 2 quart) baking dish.
Spoon the meat mixture evenly on top and then the remaining pasta.
Pour cream sauce over top.
Cover completely.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 F for about 40 minutes, or until hot and lightly browned.
Let stand for 10 minutes.