Recipe for cooking baked macaroni with beef and cheese (pasticcio)

Recipes from Greece :: Greek Rice, Pasta and Grain Dishes

2 c. uncooked ziti or elbow macaroni
3/4 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 (one and one-half) c. grated Kasseri, Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/4 (one and one-fourth) c. milk
3 Tbsp. butter or butter-replacement
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Cook macaroni as directed on pkg.; drain. Cook and stir beef and onion in 10-in. skillet until beef is light brown; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and salt. Spread half the macaroni in a greased 8-in. square or rectangular baking dish; cover with beef mixture. Mix 1/2 c. of the cheese and cinnamon. Sprinkle and distribute over beef mixture. Cover with remaining macaroni.

Cook and stir milk and butter in 2-quart saucepan until butter is melted. Stir at least half the milk mixture gradually into beaten eggs. Blend into milk mixture in saucepan; pour over macaroni. Sprinkle and distribute with remaining 1 c. cheese. Bake uncovered or without a lid at 325 degrees fahrenheit until brown and center is set, about 50 mins. Sprinkle and distribute with nutmeg. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Yields 6 servings.