MEDITERRANEAN LAYERED PASTA

Ingredients

• Spiced Beef Filling

  • 1 lb grass-fed ground beef

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp allspice

  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg

  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes

  • 1 tbsp tomato paste

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • Salt & pepper, to taste

• Pasta Layer

  • 12 oz pasta (tubular noodles like penne or ziti)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

• Béchamel Sauce

  • 3 tbsp grass-fed butter

  • 2 tbsp flour (can use arrowroot starch)

  • 2 cups grass-fed milk (warm)

  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

  • Salt & pepper, to taste

• Topping

  • 1/2 cup grated cheese Kefalotyri or Parmesan

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta

   1. Boil pasta until just al dente.

   2. Drain, toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, and set aside.

2. Make the Beef Filling

   1. Heat olive oil in a skillet.

   2. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.

   3. Add ground beef and cook until browned.

   4. Stir in cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes.

   5. Simmer 10-15 min until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Make the Béchamel

   1. Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour and cook 1-2 min.

   2. Gradually whisk in warm milk until smooth and thickened.

   3. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

4. Assemble the Pasta

   1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

   2. In a greased baking dish, layer half the pasta.

   3. Spread beef filling evenly over pasta.

   4. Add remaining pasta on top.

   5. Pour béchamel sauce evenly over the top.

   6. Sprinkle with grated cheese.

5. Bake

   1. Bake 25-30 min until golden and bubbly.

   2. Let rest 10 min before serving to set layers.