Pasta and Lamb Casserole (Pastitsio)

Name: Pasta and Lamb Casserole (Pastitsio)
Prep time: 1 d 1 h
Cook time: 1 d 1 h
Total time: 1 d 1 h
Yield: 16
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 414 milliliters coarse fresh bread crumbs (from 4 slices firm white sandwich bread); 425 grams whole tomatoes in juice; 59 milliliters grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or kefalotyri cheese; 5 larges egg yolks; 6 Tbsps all-purpose flour; 2 larges garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1 teaspoons ground allspice; 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 0 teaspoons ground cloves; 907 grams ground lamb; 1 teaspoons grated nutmeg; 2 Tbsps olive oil; 2 mediums onions, finely chopped; 4 thyme sprigs; 7 Tbsps unsalted butter; 2 liters whole milk; 907 grams ziti

Pastan and Lamb Casserole (Pastitsio) might be just the main course you are searching for. One portion of this dish contains approximately 24g of protein, 27g of fat, and a total of 586 calories. This recipe covers 21% of your daily requirements of vitamins and minerals. This recipe serves 16. A mixture of milk, thyme sprigs, ground allspice, and a handful of other ingredients are all it takes to make this recipe so tasty. To use up the nutmeg you could follow this main course with the Nutmeg Cake as a dessert. It can be enjoyed any time, but it is especially good for Autumn. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes roughly 25 hours.

Instructions

Cook onions in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until softened, about 7 minutes.

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Onion

Cooking Oil

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Increase heat to high, then stir in lamb and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up any lumps with a fork, until meat starts to brown, about 15 minutes.

Ingredients you will need

Garlic

Lamb

Meat

Meanwhile, drain both cans of tomatoes, reserving juice, and chop.

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Tomato

Juice

Pour off excess fat from skillet, then stir in tomatoes with their juice, thyme, spices, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Simmer over low heat, partially covered, until some liquid has evaporated but sauce is still moist, about 40 minutes. Discard thyme.

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Tomato

Spices

Juice

Sauce

Thyme

Salt

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Frying Pan

Melt butter in a heavy medium pot over medium heat.

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Butter

Equipment you will use

Pot

Whisk in flour, then cook roux, whisking frequently, until pale golden, about 6 minutes.

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All Purpose Flour

Equipment you will use

Whisk

Meanwhile, heat milk in a heavy medium saucepan until just about to boil.

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Milk

Equipment you will use

Sauce Pan

Add milk to roux in a stream, whisking constantly until very smooth. Bring sauce to a boil over medium heat, whisking, then cook, whisking, 1 minute.

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Sauce

Milk

Equipment you will use

Whisk

Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg, cheese, and 1 tablespoon salt.

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Cheese

Nutmeg

Salt

Lightly beat yolks in a bowl. Gradually whisk in 2 cups béchamel, then whisk yolk mixture into remaining béchamel in saucepan. Cover with a round of buttered wax paper (buttered side down).

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Egg Yolk

Equipment you will use

Wax Paper

Sauce Pan

Whisk

Bowl

Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Cook ziti in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente.

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Pasta

Water

Salt

Ziti

Equipment you will use

Oven

Pot

Drain pasta, then transfer to a large bowl and stir in 1 cup béchamel.

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Pasta

Equipment you will use

Bowl

Arrange one third of pasta lengthwise in 1 layer in a large (17-by 11-inch) baking pan (about 2 inches deep).

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Pasta

Equipment you will use

Baking Pan

Add half of meat sauce (about 3 cups) to baking pan, spreading evenly over pasta.

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Pasta

Sauce

Meat

Equipment you will use

Baking Pan

Make another layer of pasta and top with remaining meat sauce, then arrange remaining pasta on top.

Ingredients you will need

Pasta

Sauce

Meat

Spread remaining béchamel (about 6 cups) evenly over top layer of pasta.

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Spread

Pasta

Stir together bread crumbs and cheese and sprinkle evenly over top of pastitsio.

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Breadcrumbs

Cheese

Bake until crumbs are golden brown and sauce is bubbling, about 45 minutes.

Ingredients you will need

Sauce

Equipment you will use

Oven

•Meat sauce can be made 2 days ahead of assembling pastitsio and chilled (covered once cool). Bring to room temperature before using in pastitsio. •Pastitsio can be baked 1 day ahead and chilled (covered once cool). Reheat in a 350°F oven, covered, until heated through, about 45 minutes.

Ingredients you will need

Sauce

Meat

Equipment you will use

Oven