# Ingredients:
→ Pasta Layer
01 - 14 oz bucatini or penne pasta
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 large eggs, beaten
04 - 1/2 cup grated kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese
→ Beef Sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1.1 lb ground beef
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
11 - 1/3 cup red wine
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Béchamel Sauce
16 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
17 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
18 - 3 1/3 cups whole milk, warmed
19 - 2 large eggs
20 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
21 - 1/2 cup grated kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese
22 - Salt and white pepper, to taste
# Instructions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Cook pasta in boiling salted water until just al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Incorporate butter, beaten eggs, and 1/2 cup grated cheese, mixing thoroughly. Set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cooking 1 minute more. Add ground beef, breaking it up, and cook until browned.
04 - Mix in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, red wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened. Remove bay leaf.
05 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until bubbling. Gradually add warmed milk, whisking constantly. Simmer for 5–6 minutes until thickened.
06 - Remove from heat. In a bowl, beat eggs. Slowly whisk in a ladleful of hot béchamel to temper eggs, then add mixture back to saucepan. Stir in nutmeg, cheese, salt, and white pepper.
07 - Spread half the prepared pasta in the baking dish. Top evenly with all beef sauce. Add the remaining pasta. Pour béchamel on top, smoothing the surface.
08 - Bake for 40–45 minutes until the top is golden brown and set. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
