Greek Macaroni With Meat Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil (or butter)
• 1-2 onions, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 lb lean ground beef
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup dry white wine
• salt, to taste
• 1-2 lb uncooked macaroni (or other pasta)
• 1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese (or kefalotyri, if you have it)
• 1/2 cup butter

Directions

1. 1

   In a large, deep skillet over medium high heat, warm oil.

2. 2

   Add onions and garlic and saute till translucent (about 5 minutes).

3. 3

   Add beef and brown well, breaking meat up as it cooks.

4. 4

   Stir in cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, tomatoes, tomato paste and wine. Stir, reduce heat and simmer till thick and flavors are well blended (about 1 hour).

5. 5

   Adjust seasonings.

6. 6

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add macaroni and cook according to package directions, or till just tender to the bite (15-20 minutes). Drain well. (the original recipe calls for 2 lbs of pasta - this sounded like a huge amount to me, so use your own judgement regarding your own family's tastes).

7. 7

   Place half the macaroni on a large heated platter. Sprinkle generously with cheese. Place remaining macaroni on top and sprinkle again with cheese.

8. 8

   Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat till it foams and turns golden brown, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon so that it does not burn.

9. 9

   Pour butter over macaroni then spoon some of the meat sauce over the top.

10. 10

    Serve macaroni with remaining meat sauce in a bowl alongside. Pass additional cheese and serve immediately.