Pastitsio III

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 pound penne pasta, cooked according to package directions

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, cinnamon, and pepper until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
3. Add the wine to the skillet and simmer for 3 minutes. Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine the feta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses with the cooked pasta and parsley.
5. Spread half of the pasta mixture in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with all of the ground beef mixture, then the remaining pasta mixture.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Interesting Facts

• Pastitsio is the Greek version of lasagna, and is traditionally served as a main course.
• Pastitsio can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later.
• This dish is often served with a side of Greek salad or a dollop of tzatziki sauce.