Description
Experience the layers of soft pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy béchamel in this beloved Greek comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb pasta (baked ziti or similar)
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (mozzarella/parmesan mix)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a pan, brown the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic over medium heat until cooked through.
- Add tomato sauce, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- In another saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute before gradually adding milk, whisking continuously until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta, followed by the meat sauce, then the remaining pasta. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.
- Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For enhancing flavor, use fresh herbs whenever possible and ensure not to overcook the pasta.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek