Pastitsio

I'm in the mood this morning for some pasta. This is a delicious dish that I think your whole family will enjoy.

Happy Eating!
Deb

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1/3 cup dry white wine
4 inches stick cinnamon
8 oz dried penne pasta
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons butter or margarine *not a typo*
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup shredded romano cheese

Instructions:

For meat sauce:

In a large skillet cook ground meat and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender.  Drain off fat.  Stir in tomato sauce, wine, and stick cinnamon.  Bring to boiling; reduce heat.  Cook and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Discard stick cinnamon.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.  In large bowl combine the 2 eggs, the 3/4 cup milk, the 2 tablespoons melted butter, and the cooked pasta; toss to combine.  Set aside.

For cream sauce:

In a small saucepan melt the 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat.  Stir in flour, salt and pepper.  Gradually add the 1 1/2 cups milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.  Gradually stir hot mixture into the 3 eggs.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 3 quart rectangular baking dsh.  Layer half of the pasta mixture in prepared dish.  Spread with meat sauce and sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the cheese.  Top with remaining pasta mixture; sprinkle with another 1/3 cup of the cheese.  Pour cream sauce over all; sprinkle with reamining cheese.

Cover and bake for 20 minutes.  Uncover; bake about 15 minutes more or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.  Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Makes 8 servings.