Baked Macaroni with Beef
and Cheese (Pasticcio)

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked ziti or elbow macaroni
• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups grated Kasseri, Parmesan or Romano cheese
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  

Instructions

1. Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain. Cook and stir beef and onion in 10-inch skillet until beef is light brown; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and salt. Spread half the macaroni in a greased 8-inch square baking dish; cover with beef mixture.
2. Mix 1/2 cup of the cheese and cinnamon. Sprinkle over beef mixture. Cover with remaining macaroni.
3. Cook and stir milk and butter in 2-quart saucepan until butter is melted. Stir at least half the milk mixture gradually into beaten eggs. Blend into milk mixture in saucepan; pour over macaroni. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.
4. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees F until brown and center is set, about 50 minutes.
5. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Yields 6 servings.