Savory Greek casserole combining tender pasta, rich spiced beef, and creamy béchamel sauce baked to a golden top.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz bucatini or penne pasta
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 large eggs, beaten
04 - ½ cup grated kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese
→ Beef Sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1.1 lb ground beef
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
11 - ⅓ cup red wine
12 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Béchamel Sauce
16 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
17 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
18 - 3 ⅓ cups whole milk, warmed
19 - 2 large eggs
20 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
21 - ½ cup grated kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese
22 - Salt and white pepper, to taste
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
02 - Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Stir in butter, beaten eggs, and ½ cup grated cheese. Set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
04 - Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, red wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until thickened. Remove bay leaf.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes. Gradually whisk in warm milk until smooth. Simmer for 5–6 minutes until thickened.
06 - Remove from heat. In a small bowl, beat the eggs. Temper the eggs by slowly adding a ladle of hot béchamel while whisking continuously. Return the egg mixture to the saucepan. Stir in nutmeg, cheese, salt, and white pepper.
07 - Spread half of the pasta evenly in the baking dish. Top with all the beef sauce. Cover with remaining pasta. Pour béchamel sauce over the top, smoothing with a spatula.
08 - Bake for 40–45 minutes until the top is golden and set. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
