Pastitsio/Macaroni Bechamel

Pastitsio is a fantastic and delicious Greek/Mediterranean baked pasta dish which includes a meat sauce and béchamel sauce. It is a version of the Italian dish pasticcio di pasta, also known as lasagne al forno.

The Egyptian name for this dish is Macaroni Bechamel.

For the meat sauce:

INGREDIENTS

400gm beef mince
2 small onions, chopped
2 tbsp. oil
¼ cup beef broth or water
1 tsp. garlic paste
1 tsp. ginger paste
salt to taste
1 tsp. sugar
5 tomatoes, blended
2 tbsp. tomato paste
2 green chilies
1 tsp. cumin powder
¼ tsp. turmeric powder
½ tsp. oregano
1 bay leaf
¼ tsp. cinnamon powder

For the macaroni:

INGREDIENTS

200-250gm thin tube short pasta like penne or anything similar
water for boiling
1 tbsp. oil
salt

For the béchamel sauce

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
1 ½ cups milk at room temperature
1/3 cup yoghurt
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ cup shredded cheese, like parmesan
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper powder
pinch of nutmeg
¼ cup of the meat sauce that you will be preparing

INSTRUCTIONS

First, begin preparing the meat sauce. Heat the oil in a pan, then add the onions and fry until transparent, then add the ginger and garlic paste and salt. Stir fry for a couple of minutes, then add the beef mince and cook on medium heat until all the water evaporates. Sprinkle the black pepper, turmeric, cumin powder, cinnamon, bay leaf and oregano. Once the mince is completely dry and begins sticking to the bottom of the pan, pour in the broth or water to de-glaze the pan. Now blend the tomatoes with the green chilies and add it in the mince, along with the tomato paste. Sprinkle the sugar, mix then cover and reduce heat to low, let it simmer for about half an hour.

In the meantime, boil the pasta as per the packet directions. Make sure you don't over-cook the pasta as they will bake later, so cook them about three-quarter done (add salt and oil to the boiling water). Drain and set aside.

Check on the sauce, if it has thickened, adjust seasoning and turn off the heat. You can add water if it needs it. It should be on the thick-gravy side. Once ready, turn off the heat, then remove quarter cup of the mince and set it aside to be used in the béchamel later.

Pour the cooked pasta into the meat sauce and gently stir until combined, taking care not to break the pasta. Grease an 11x7" pan with some butter and pour the pasta n meat sauce into it. Preheat the oven at 180 C.

Now you can prepare the béchamel. Heat butter in a pan till melted sprinkle the flour and stir together for about 2 minutes. Then remove from the heat and gradually add the milk a little at a time while whisking continuously. Once all the milk is in, put the pan back on the heat and keep whisking on medium to low heat until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Then remove from the heat and add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add the cheese and mix it in. Then add the lightly beaten egg and IMMEDIATELY whisk very quickly to combine, remember the béchamel will still be hot so if you are slow the egg will cook and remain chunky, you want it to blend in well in the sauce. Once it has combined well into the sauce, add the yoghurt and the reserved quarter cup of meat sauce. Mix everything well and then pour the sauce over the pasta/meat sauce in the dish. You can sprinkle some extra cheese on top if you want. Now bake in the pre-heated 180C oven for about 40 minutes or until golden.

When ready, let the dish sit for about half an hour so the cheese sets before serving.

Enjoy! :)