Greek Béchamel-Top Pastitsio with Beef - Slow-Braised Method

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a heavy pot, cook onion and garlic until softened. Add beef and brown over medium heat.
3. Once browned, add tomato sauce and enough water to cover the meat. Cover and simmer on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. While the beef simmers, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
5. In another pan, melt butter, add flour, and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
6. In a baking dish, layer pasta, slow-braised beef, and béchamel sauce. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
7. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
8. Check that the ground meat reaches 71°C (160°F) throughout before serving.