Pastitsio - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 None onion, finely chopped
2 1/4 lbs ground beef
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1 None bay leaf
2/3 cup white wine
2 cans (14 oz each) diced tomatoes
1 pkg (16 oz) elbow macaroni
3 tbsp butter
4 None egg whites, lightly beaten
4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup flour
3 cups milk
4 None egg yolks
3/4 cup grated Cheddar cheese

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350\u00b0F. Lightly grease a deep 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
Heat oil in a large skillet on high heat. Saute onion for 1-2 mins, until tender. Add ground beef and brown for 4-5 mins, breaking up lumps.
Stir in spices and bay leaf. Add wine, simmer for 1 min. Stir in tomatoes and season to taste. Simmer for 10-12 mins, until thickened.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water according to package directions. Drain and return to pan. Quickly stir in butter and egg whites. Season to taste.
Spoon half pasta mixture into prepared dish. Spread with ground beef mixture. Top with remaining pasta mixture, pressing down with the back of a spoon.
For the bechamel sauce, melt butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 min. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Return to heat and cook, stirring, until mixture boils and thickens. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3 mins. Remove from heat. Whisk in yolks and cheese. Season to taste. Pour over pasta.
Bake for 40-45 mins, until golden and bubbling.