Pastitsio Greek Lasagna

Went to the Greek Festival tonight. This is my favorite Greek dish. Of course, I love the pastries,  but this is  a delicious lasagna.

Pastitsio Greek Lasagna


1/4 pound butter, plus 1/4 pound butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
1 onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
1 (12-ounces) can tomatoes
1 (12-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pound ziti rigate or penne
3 cups grated pecorino Romano
3/4 cup flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk
5 eggs

Directions

In a hot pan melt 4 ounces of butter, add ground chuck, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, bay leaf, and cinnamon and cook over medium flame for about 35 minutes.

Cook macaroni in boiling water, strain and put back in pot to keep warm.

Place a 1/4 of the grated cheese in a 11 by 14-inch pan, and then a layer with 1/3 of the pasta. Continue until both ingredients are used up. Spread on the meat sauce.

Mix the final layer, the Pastitsio Crema by mixing 4 ounces of melted, cooled butter and 3/4 cup of flour. Heat 3 1/2 cups of milk and pour a little over flour and butter mixture then pour the rest of the mixture into the milk. Add 5 beaten eggs and stir thoroughly over medium flame until mixture thickens. Pour the crema on top of the meat sauce and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until brown. Cool for 1 hour before cutting.