Pastitsio (greek pasta bake)

1. 1

   Boil the pasta in salted water and a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil , until al dente.

2. 2

   Then drain.

3. 3

   You shouldn't need to rinse with cold water, because you added oil during boiling.

4. 4

   Boil the milk in a pan and then reduce the heat.

5. 5

   Add the margarine and cornflour ehile continuously stiring to avoid burning at the bottom of the pan.

6. 6

   I used a hand mixer at a slow speed.

7. 7

   When the sause is slightly thick , you add the nutmeg and set aside.

8. 8

   In another pan, you saute the minced meat.

9. 9

   When brown and all juices are reduced, you add the finely chopped onion and grated garlic until transparent and flavour the minced meat.

10. 10

    Then you pour either the wine or cognac.

11. 11

    If kids are sharing this dish, then you can skip the alcohol.

12. 12

    Then in go the passata and spices.

13. 13

    You reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until you get a thick sauce with some juice left.

14. 14

    In a baking tray, you place half of the pasta with some grated cheese and a scoop of the white sauce whle mixing everything evenly.

15. 15

    Then you pour on top of the pasta mix, all the minced meat sauce with a scoop of the white sauce.

16. 16

    Finally, you place the remaining pasta with some grated cheese ontop of the previous layers.

17. 17

    At the end, you pour the remaining white sauce and grated cheese on top of the final pasta layer.

18. 18

    You bake for 20- 30 minutes in a pre- heated oven (at 180oC) or until the top layer becomes golden (I know mine looks more brown :-) ).

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.