Greek Pasta Torte

 

12

oz. (4 cups) uncooked ziti (long tubular pasta)

1

lb. lean ground beef

1

medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

2

cups tomato pasta sauce

1/2

teaspoon cinnamon

3

cups milk

3

tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4

teaspoon salt

1/8

teaspoon pepper

3

eggs

1/2

cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4

cup Progresso® Plain Bread Crumbs

1

tablespoon butter or margarine, melted

• 1 Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish and 16x12-inch sheet of foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• 2 Cook ziti in Dutch oven or large saucepan as directed on package. Drain in colander. Cover to keep warm; set aside.
• 3 Meanwhile, in large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Stir in pasta sauce and cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
• 4 Heat oven to 350°F. In same Dutch oven, combine 1 cup of the milk, flour, salt and pepper; mix with wire whisk until smooth. Stir in remaining 2 cups milk. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils and is slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
• 5 Beat eggs in medium bowl with wire whisk. Gradually add half of hot milk mixture, stirring constantly. Stir egg mixture back into mixture in dutch oven. Add cheese; mix well. Add cooked ziti; toss gently to coat evenly.
• 6 Place half of ziti mixture in sprayed baking dish. Spoon beef mixture evenly over ziti mixture. Top with remaining ziti mixture. Cover tightly with sprayed foil.
• 7 Bake at 350°F. for 35 to 40 minutes or until edges are bubbly. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix bread crumbs and butter.
• 8 Remove foil; sprinkle bread crumb mixture over top. Bake uncovered an additional 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.