Greek Pastitsio Recipe

Every Greek loves pastitsio. Every Greek woman thinks her family has the best recipe for pastitsio. Lucky for us, my family recipe really is the best. DH who is a pastitsio connoisseur will testify.So I'm sharing this scrumptious recipe with you. Shh... don't tell my yiayia, it's a family secret. ;)

Yiayia Sylvia's Famous Pastitsio

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground meat
• pastitsio noodles (no.2) or 2 boxes ziti
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 gallon lukewarm milk
• 2 cups flour
• 2 T. butter
• 2 cups grated parmesan
• 2T. cinnamon
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 2 small cans tomatoe paste

Here's a pic of the noodles. They can be found in most ethnic stores/sections. If you can't find them, you can substitute with ziti.Directions:

1. Boil water and add pasta.
2. While pasta is cooking separate meat in skillet. When a little brown, add 1 1/2 -2 cans of tomatoe paste. Add salt, pepper & cinnamon. Add a little water to help cook if necessary.
3. While meat is cooking make your crema (the sauce for the top similar to beschamel sauce).
4. Mix 6 eggs with 1/2 gallon of milk in large pot over medium heat. Mix in 1 cup of flour and whisk constantly until it thickens and all lumps are gone. Add flour 1/4 cups at a time if needed. This mixture will be very thick. Turn heat to low and continue stirring constantly. Once lumps are gone and the consistency is correct, add 2 T. butter. and 1 cup parmesan cheese.
5. Drain pasta and mix in about 1 1/2 cups of crema and 3/4 cup parmesan. Put half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. (If you have one larger, especially depth-wise, I'd use that)
6. Layer meat on top of noodles.
7. Add remaining pasta on top of meat and then spread all of the crema on top. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup parmesan.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until top is slightly brown. Let cool 15 minutes before cutting.

Kali Odexi! Have a famous family recipe? I'd love to try it!!