Bring the sun-kissed flavors of Greece to your table with this easy pasticcio recipe, made with a ground lamb base and creamy feta cheese topping.
Serves 4
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 lb ground lamb
3 heaped tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
salt and pepper
4 garlic cloves, crushed
15 oz can chopped tomatoes
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano, plus extra to serve (or ½ tsp dried)
10 oz dried macaroni
For the topping
6 fl oz full-fat thick greek yogurt
1 medium free-range egg, beaten
4 oz good-quality feta, crumbled
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 6-8 minutes softening. Increase the heat, add the ground lamb and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes until browned.
Add the chopped rosemary, salt, pepper and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes, half-fill the can with water, then add it to the pan with the oregano. Bring to the boil, then season and reduce the heat. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Heat the oven to 350/180°C/160°C fan/gas 4.
For the topping, in a mixing bowl combine the yogurt, egg and half the feta. Season with pepper (feta is already salty).
Cook the macaroni in a large pan of boiling salted water until just al dente. Drain, then spoon half into a deep ovenproof dish and season with salt and pepper. Top with the ground lamb, then add the remaining macaroni, pressing down with the back of a spoon.
Spoon the yogurt topping over the pasta to cover, then scatter with the remaining feta to finish.
Bake for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
Serve sprinkled with extra oregano, if you like.