Pastitsio I

Meat and macaroni pie

Ingredients

 * 500 gr thick macaroni
 * 1 kg minced meat
 * 3 eggs
 * 180 gr grated kefalo or parmesan cheese
 * 100 gr oil
 * 1 medium sized onion
 * 500 gr ripe tomatoes
 * 1 portion béchamel sauce
 * salt
 * pepper

Directions

 * 1) Partially cook the macaroni in salted water and drain well.
 * 2) Put in a baking dish and pour half of the butter over the macaroni.
 * 3) Beat the egg whites and mix in the macaroni.
 * 4) Keep the yolks.
 * 5) They will be used to make the béchamel sauce.
 * 6) Sprinkle with half of the cheese.
 * 7) With the remaining butter brown the minced meat and the onion.
 * 8) Add the strained tomatoes or the tomato paste, salt, pepper and simmer until liquid is absorbed.
 * 9) Remove from the heat and add the remaining grated cheese. Stir all well.
 * 10) Prepare the béchamel sauce.
 * 11) Butter a baking dish.
 * 12) Lay half of the macaroni in the pan.
 * 13) Spread evenly with the meat mixture.
 * 14) Lay the rest of the macaroni on top.
 * 15) Pour the béchamel sauce over them and sprinkle with grated cheese and some melted butter.
 * 16) Bake in a moderate oven.