# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz bucatini or penne pasta
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 large eggs, beaten
04 - ½ cup grated kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese
→ Beef Sauce
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1.1 lb ground beef
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
10 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
11 - ⅓ cup red wine
12 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
13 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt, to taste
16 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Béchamel Sauce
17 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
18 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
19 - 3 ⅓ cups whole milk, warmed
20 - 2 large eggs
21 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
22 - ½ cup grated kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese
23 - Salt, to taste
24 - White pepper, to taste
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Set the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish thoroughly.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain well, return to pot, then stir in butter, beaten eggs, and ½ cup grated cheese. Set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned.
04 - Incorporate tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, red wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until thickened. Remove bay leaf.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add warm milk while whisking until smooth. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until thickened.
06 - Remove béchamel from heat. Whisk eggs in a bowl. Temper eggs by slowly adding a ladle of hot béchamel, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir in nutmeg, grated cheese, salt, and white pepper.
07 - Spread half the pasta in the baking dish. Layer all meat sauce on top. Cover with remaining pasta. Pour béchamel evenly over the surface, smoothing with a spatula.
08 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until top is golden and set. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
