Classic Greek Pastitsio

1. Prepare Meat Sauce

In a small bowl, mix 3/4 teaspoon of table salt, 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of water with the ground beef. Set this mixture aside.

2. Cook Onions and Spices

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1.25 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried mint, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook this mixture for 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant.

3. Add Wine and Tomato Paste

Pour in 1/4 cup of red wine and let it cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. Add 1/3 cup of tomato paste and the prepared beef mixture along with 1/2 cup of water. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until the beef loses its pink color, which should take about 3-5 minutes. Reduce the heat, cover the saucepan, and let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes to deepen the flavors and thicken the sauce.

4. Prepare Baking Dish and Preheat Oven

While the meat sauce is simmering, prepare the béchamel sauce and pasta. Adjust your oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and place it on a rimmed baking sheet.

5. Make Béchamel Sauce

In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon of table salt, 1/4 teaspoon of grated nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it forms a golden and fragrant paste. Gradually whisk in 4 cups of whole milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Add 8 ounces of ziti pasta and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand covered for a few minutes.

6. Assemble Pastitsio

To assemble the pastitsio, use a spider skimmer to transfer the pasta into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle half of the shredded kasseri cheese over the pasta and press it down with a spatula to form an even layer. In a separate bowl, whisk the remaining cheese and 1 lightly beaten egg into the béchamel sauce. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the pasta layer, then top with the béchamel mixture. Sprinkle any remaining cheese on top.

7. Bake Pastitsio

Bake the pastitsio in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes until the top is puffy and spotty brown. Let it cool for 20 minutes before serving.