Print
Description
Pastitsio is a classic Greek baked pasta dish with layers of pasta, spiced meat sauce, and creamy béchamel. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 500g penne or tubular pasta
- 500g ground beef or lamb
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 400g canned tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 100g grated cheese (kefalotyri or pecorino)
- 100g butter
- 100g all-purpose flour
- 1 liter milk
- 2 eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Brown the meat in a pan, then add onion and garlic. Cook until soft.
- Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Melt butter in a pot, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk to make a thick béchamel.
- Remove béchamel from heat and mix in eggs and half the cheese.
- Layer half the pasta in a baking dish, top with meat sauce, then remaining pasta.
- Pour béchamel over the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Use a mix of beef and lamb for richer flavor.
- Replace kefalotyri with pecorino if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek