Gluten-Free Nikki's Perfect Pastitsio

Ingredients:

For the Pasta Layer:

8 oz gluten-free penne pasta or macaroni
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
For the Meat Sauce:

1 lb ground beef or lamb
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Bechamel Sauce:

4 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 large eggs, beaten

Instructions:

Cook the Pasta:

Cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.

Prepare the Meat Sauce:

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or lamb over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.

Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is translucent.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes.

Make the Bechamel Sauce:

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

Add the gluten-free all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for a few minutes to create a roux.

Gradually pour in the milk while continuing to whisk to avoid lumps.

Cook the mixture until it thickens, then add ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly whisk in the beaten eggs.

Assemble the Pastitsio:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a baking dish and set aside.

In a bowl, combine the cooked pasta with grated Parmesan cheese and beaten eggs.

Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in the baking dish.
Layer Meat Sauce:

Spread the meat sauce evenly over the pasta layer.

Top with Remaining Pasta:

Layer the remaining pasta mixture over the meat sauce.

Add Bechamel Sauce:

Pour the prepared bechamel sauce over the top, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Bake:

Bake the pastitsio in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Cool and Serve:

Allow the pastitsio to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Enjoy:

Enjoy the delicious Gluten-Free Nikki's Perfect Pastitsio, a comforting and flavorful Greek dish that combines layers of pasta, meat sauce, and creamy bechamel sauce.

Feel free to add a sprinkle of grated cheese on top before baking for extra flavor and a golden finish. This recipe captures the essence of traditional pastitsio while being gluten-free and satisfying.