Greek Meat Pasta (Makaronia me kima) |
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Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 70 Minutes |
Ready In: 85 Minutes Servings: 10 |
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A staple pasta dish in the Greek house. The cinnamon is what gives it the flavorful richness. The combination of Greek Mizithra cheese makes it even better. Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) package rotini pasta |
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided |
1 pound ground beef |
6 tomatoes, grated |
1 sweet yellow onion, grated |
1/2 cup water |
3 tablespoons tomato paste |
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon |
1/2 teaspoon white sugar |
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper |
salt and ground black pepper to taste |
4 cups shredded mizithra cheese |
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese |
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir ground beef until browned, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, onion, water, tomato paste, cinnamon, sugar, cayenne, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Simmer meat sauce over medium-low heat until flavors combine, 20 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. Pour meat sauce over rotini; mix well. Pour half the pasta mixture into a casserole dish; sprinkle with half the Mizithra cheese and half the mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining pasta mixture; sprinkle remaining Mizithra cheese and mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 40 minutes.
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