Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
1 small onions, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic ( or to taste)
2 teaspoons dried chili pepper flakes ( or to taste)
2 teaspoons dried oregano ( or to taste)
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups cooked macaroni ( macaroni should measure 2 cups after cooking)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon seasoning salt ( or to taste)
black pepper
1 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
1 (5 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 tablespoons butter ( no subs)
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup half-and-half cream
1 cup cream-style cottage cheese
1 large eggs
1 pinch nutmeg
1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
salt and pepper
Directions:
Set oven to 350 degrees.
Great a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate.
In a skillet melt butter over medium heat; add in onion, garlic, oregano and dryed red chili flakes (if using) saute for about 3 minutes.
Add in ground beef; cook for about 7-10 minutes or until beef is longer pink.
Add in 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, season with seasoning salt and pepper; drain off fat.
Stir in the stewed tomatoes, tomato paste; simmer for about 25-30 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Add in chopped fresh parsley; set aside.
TO MAKE WHITE SAUCE; in a heavy saucepan melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour and cook whisking for about 2 minutes (do not brown!).
Gradually add in the half and half cream and a pinch of cayenne pepper; cook whisking for about 3 minutes or until thickened and smooth; remove from heat and add in the creamed cottage cheese, egg, nutmeg, salt and pepper; mix well to combine.
Generously butter the pie plate and sprinkle about 3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs in the bottom.
Top with HALF of the cooked macaroni pasta.
Spread all of the meat mixture evenly over top, pressing down slightly.
Sprinkle with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Spoon the remaining macaroni over the top of the Parmesan.
Carefully pour ALL of the white sauce over the top of the macaroni.
Sprinkle about 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top (or to taste).
Place the pie plate on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until golden.
Let sit for about 15 minutes or longer before slicing (the longer you leave it sit the easier it will be to slice!).
Servings: 6-8
Time preparation: 60 min.
Time total: 110 min.