Pastitsio

Béchamel tip – whisk constantly through each step. Ensure the sauce is very thick (should coat the back of a spoon) before removing from heat and adding cheese.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Cook penne in boiling salted water to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain & return to the pot, add 2 tbsp butter. Set aside.

Step 2

Shred 2 cups parmesan. Set aside.

Step 3

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add finely chopped onion and saute until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pan with onions, and use a spatula to break it up into pieces. Let the meat brown without touching for about 3 minutes.

Step 5

Add remaining 6 meat sauce ingredients, except the egg whites. Cover and cook over medium heat, allowing liquids to evaporate and sauce to thicken up. Let cool and mix in 2 egg whites (helps the sauce stay thick to avoid a runny filling).

Step 6

Melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and cook whisking constantly for 1 minute.

Step 7

Warm milk separately and add all 5 cups at once to saucepan with flour, whisk constantly until the sauce is smooth. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Step 8

Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of cheese, 2 eggs, and 2 egg yolks. Set aside.

Step 9

Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter a 10×14 baking dish and place half of the cooked penne in. Arrange the pasta in an even layer so the bottom of the dish is covered.

Step 10

Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of shredded cheese and pour 1/4 of the béchamel sauce over the bottom layer of pasta.

Step 11

Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of shredded cheese and pour 1/4 of the béchamel sauce over the bottom layer of pasta.

Step 12

Pour the entire meat sauce in an even layer. Top with remaining pasta and sprinkle with 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Cover the top with all remaining béchamel sauce in a nice even layer

Step 13

Sprinkle the top with remaining shredded cheese and bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until top is golden-brown.

Step 14

Leave for 20 minutes to solidify and cool then cut into square pieces and serve.