Spice Market Pastitsio
Some call this dish (pronounced pah-STEET-see-o) "the Greek lasagna." Kasseri (kuh-SEHR-ee) is a firm aromatic Greek cheese with a nutty taste.

Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients
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8 ounces dried corkscrew pasta (3 cups)
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1/2 pound ground lamb or lean ground beef
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1 14-ounce jar spaghetti sauce with onion and garlic (about 1-1/2 cups)
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
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1 1.8-ounce envelope white sauce mix
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1 cup milk
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2 slightly beaten eggs
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1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
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1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1/4 cup grated kasseri or Parmesan cheese
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Greek or ripe olives (optional)
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Fresh marjoram (optional)
Directions
1.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain well. In a medium skillet cook lamb or beef until meat is brown. Drain off fat. In a medium mixing bowl combine cooked meat, spaghetti sauce, cinnamon, and fennel seed. Set aside.
2.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine white sauce mix and milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Gradually stir half of the sauce into eggs; return all to saucepan. Stir in feta cheese and nutmeg.
3.
To assemble, layer half of the pasta in a lightly greased 2-quart square baking dish. Spread meat mixture over pasta; top with remaining pasta. Evenly spread the white sauce mixture on top. Sprinkle with kasseri or Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F. oven about 35 minutes or until set. Let stand for 10 minutes. To serve, cut into squares. Garnish servings with olives and fresh marjoram, if desired. Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition information
Calories 417, Total Fat 16 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 112 mg, Sodium 848 mg, Carbohydrate 46 g, Fiber 0 g, Protein 20 g. Daily Values: Vitamin A 20%, Vitamin C 5%, Calcium 21%, Iron 20%.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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