Greek Pastitsio – Home Cooking Adventure

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Experience the rich and soothing taste of Greece with our authentic Greek pastitsio. It’s made with enticing layers of pasta, hearty meat sauce and delicious béchamel sauce. Baked to perfection, this traditional dish is a true taste of Greece.

The heart of this dish is tender noodlesCooked to perfection, a delicious base for layers of savory delights to follow.

The star of the show is a hearty meat sauce, typically made from ground beef, flavored with cinnamon. This delicious sauce adds depth and richness to every bite, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

A velvety one béchamel sauceIt envelops the meat sauce and gives it a creamy and delicious touch. The béchamel is made from a roux of olive oil and flour, combined with warm milk and eggs, resulting in a silky smooth texture and heavenly golden crust when baked to perfection.

Pastitsio can be adapted to different dietary preferences and tastes. Vegetarians can enjoy a delicious veggie option by substituting sautéed vegetables for the meat, while those with a gluten intolerance can opt for gluten-free pasta without compromising on taste.

After several visits to Greece, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to prepare and enjoy this dish, Greek Pastitsio, right at home. With every bite I am reminded of the warm hospitality and rich culinary heritage of Greece. It is a culinary masterpiece that brings a touch of Greece to my cooking and allows me to relive those cherished moments and share them with my loved ones.

Serving pastitsio is a joyful occasion in Greek households. Anticipation builds as the golden brown dish emerges from the oven and fills the air with its enticing aroma. Each piece is a work of art, revealing layers of pasta, meat sauce and béchamel, all held together by a harmonious blend of flavors.

How to make Greek Pastitsio

To Prepare the meat sauce, Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chopped onion for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and sauté for another 1-2 minutes. Next, add the ground beef and cook until it changes color, breaking it up with a spoon. Add tomato puree, cinnamon, sugar, salt, black pepper and bay leaves. Simmer the sauce over medium-high heat for 20-25 minutes, until the meat is tender and the sauce has reduced. Remove the pan from the heat, discard the bay leaves and set the sauce aside.

For the Pastitsio pasta, Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and brush a 10″ x 14″ skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the drained pasta, Greek kefalotyri or parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Stir the noodles and set aside. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

To Prepare the béchamel sauce, Heat olive oil in a medium-heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and stir until smooth and bubbly, about 1 minute. Gradually stir in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Gradually pour in the beaten eggs, stirring constantly. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils and begins to thicken.

How to assemble the Pastitsio

To Assemble the Pastitsio, spread the meat sauce evenly over the pasta layer in the prepared pan. Pour the béchamel sauce over the meat sauce and spread evenly. Sprinkle Greek kefalotyri or parmesan cheese on top. Bake the dish for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Whether sharing it with loved ones at a family reunion or simply treating yourself to a taste of Greece, Greek pastitsio is sure to transport you to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean. So grab a fork, savor every bite and let the flavors of Greece dance on your palate. I hope you will try it and enjoy it as much as we did. If so, make sure to share the photos with me Instagram. Enjoy!

Other pasta recipes you might want to try

Dive into a classic Italian favorite with us Spaghetti with baked meatballs. Perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles are combined with tender, flavorful meatballs, all coated in a rich and hearty tomato sauce. It’s a comforting and filling dish that will transport you straight to Italy.

Experience the ultimate comfort food with our Homemade Lasagna. Layer upon layer, tender lasagna pasta, hearty meat sauce, creamy béchamel and melted mozzarella combine in a delicious symphony of flavors. Baked to perfection, this homemade treat is a true Italian classic.

Treat yourself to our irresistible spaghetti cake, a family favorite recipe. With a spaghetti crust, creamy ricotta, savory tomato and meat sauce, and a generous topping of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, this golden brown cake is a delicious treat.

Greek Pastitsio - nice slice - pasta, meat sauce and béchamel layers
Greek Pastitsio

Greek Pastitsio

Experience the rich and soothing taste of Greece with our authentic Greek pastitsio. It’s made with enticing layers of pasta, hearty meat sauce and delicious béchamel sauce. Baked to perfection, this traditional dish is a true taste of Greece.

portions 10

preparation time 40 minutes

cooking time 40 minutes

rest time 30 minutes

total time 1 Hours 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the meat sauce

  • 2 tablespoon (30g) Olive Oil
  • 2 medium onions (6oz – 180g) chopped
  • 2 Garlic cloves chopped
  • 1/3 Cup (70g) tomato paste
  • 1 â…” Pound (750g) Ground Beef
  • 1 may (14oz – 400g) Tomato Puree
  • 1 tsp (5g) salt
  • 1 tsp (5g) sugar
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) ground black pepper
  • 1/3 tsp (1g) Cinnamon
  • bay leaves

For the pasta

  • 1 Pound (500g) Greek Pasta, Bucatini No.2
  • 2 tablespoon (30g) Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Cup (25 g) Greek Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoon fresh parsley

For béchamel sauce

  • 1/3 Cup (80 ml) olive oil
  • 2/3 Cup (80g) all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups (1 liter) milk
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) nutmeg
  • 3/4 tsp (4g) salt
  • 3 Big Eggs beaten

For garnish

  • 1/2 Cup (50 g) Greek kefalotyri or parmesan cheese

instructions

Prepare the meat sauce.

  • In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.

  • Add chopped onions and sauté for 5 minutes until soft.

  • Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.

  • Stir in the tomato paste and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.

  • Now add the ground beef. Cook until it changes its raw color. Break it up with a spoon.

  • Add tomato puree, cinnamon, sugar, salt, black pepper and bay leaves.

  • Simmer the sauce over medium-high heat for 20-25 minutes, until the meat is tender and the sauce has reduced.

  • Remove from the heat, remove the bay leaves and set aside.

Prepare the pastitsio pasta.

  • Cook the noodles in salted water according to package directions until al dente.

  • Drain the noodles.

  • Brush a 25 x 35 cm skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil.

  • Add the drained pasta, Greek kefalotyri or parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

  • Stir to coat and set aside.

  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Prepare the béchamel sauce.

  • In a medium-heavy saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the flour and mix until smooth, about 1 minute until bubbles form.

  • Gradually stir in milk until smooth.

  • Gradually add the beaten eggs, stirring constantly.

  • Add salt, pepper and nutmeg.

  • Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is simmering and beginning to thicken.

Assemble Pastitsio.

  • Spread the meat sauce evenly over the pasta layer.

  • Pour the béchamel sauce over the meat sauce. Spread evenly.

  • Sprinkle Greek kefalotyri or parmesan cheese on top.

  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.

  • Let it rest for at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!

Video

Nourishment

Portion: 1 serving of 10Calories: 578kcalCarbohydrates: 58.3GProtein: 39.4GFat: 22GSaturated Fatty Acids: 6.2GCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 554mgPotassium: 665mgFiber: 3.6GSugar: 10.6GCalcium: 215mgIron: 16mg



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