This is an all afternoon sort of meal with home made meat and creamy sauce. Pure guilt, pure indulgence, and 100% rocking because you flexed those culinary skills and made it all from scratch.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute the onion for 5 minutes, until soft.
Add the ground beef and lamb and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up with a spoon.
Drain off any fat if needed.
Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the garlic, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes longer.
Add the tomatoes and season with 2 teas salt and 1 teas pepper, if desired. Simmer for 40 - 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the béchamel sauce.
Heat the milk and cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until just starting to simmer, there will be bubbles around the edges and steam coming off the top.
In another larger saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour, stir, and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk away.
Slowly pour in the heated milk and whisk vigorously. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes longer, stirring often, until thick.
Add the nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper if desired. Add 3/4 cup of the shredded Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of the tomato meat sauce.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Lastly, stir in the eggs and yogurt.
Pastitsio
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13" baking dish.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until just al dente. You're going to continue to bake it, so don't over cook it. Drain.
Toss the pasta in with the meat sauce to combine. Pour into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Pour the bachamel sauce over the top and shake the pan about to spread evenly. Top with the remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour, until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.