Instructions: In a large (8-cup) pot, brown crumbled burger with onion. When onion is tender, stir in next 8 ingredients (parsley through macaroni). Bring to boiling; cover. Reduce heat; cook until macaroni is tender, 15 minutes, stirring often. Adjust seasonings to taste. Stir in shredded sharp American cheese. Turn into a 1-1/2 quart casserole. In saucepan stir flour, mustard, and margarine. Stirring frequently, add the milk and cook over low heat till the sauce is thickened and bubbly. Beat the eggs in a pyrex or heat proof container. Stir some of the white sauce into the 2 beaten eggs. Stirring, return the eggs mixture to the sauce pan. Cook over low heat 2 minutes. Pour sauce over mixture in casserole.

Bake at 350F till top is set and golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

VARIATION Cook and drain the pasta. Meanwhile, brown meat with onion. Add parsley through cinnamon. Add from 8 to 15 ounces of tomato sauce, for taste and consistency. Omit water or add to thin the sauce, if needed.

Stir in the cheese. MICRO - in a micro-proof bowl or 4-cup pyrex measure, stir together the flour, mustard, margarine and milk. Micro-wave on high for two-minute intervals, stirring and turning, until thickened (6 minutes). Pick up the original instructions at "Beat the eggs in a pyrex..."

Serving Ideas : Zucchini and tomato on lettuce and savoy salad; pears

NOTES : Pastitsio means cinnamon. It also refers to a traditional way of seasoning ground lamb and pasta in countries like Greece and Rumania. This
variation uses ground beef. Diners can develop a craving for the custardy
sauce and sweet bite of cinnamon.

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