Pastitsio Greek Baked Pasta

Name: Pastitsio Greek Baked Pasta
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 500 g short macaroni pasta; 700 g ground beef; 1 medium medium onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 400 g canned chopped tomatoes; 120 ml dry red wine (optional); 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon; 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg; 2 tbsp olive oil; 60 ml grated hard cheese (e.g., Kefalotyri or Parmesan); 100 g butter; 70 g all-purpose flour; 1 l whole milk, warmed; 2 large egg yolks; 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg (for béchamel); 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Difficulty

medium

Time

1h 35m

Price Category

average

Calories

Medium

Pastitsio is an iconic Greek baked pasta dish, often referred to as Greek lasagna. It features a rich ground meat ragu, a spiced tomato sauce, thick pasta, and a creamy béchamel sauce, all baked until golden brown. This hearty and flavorful dish is a perfect choice for family dinners or entertaining guests, a true comfort food for colder days. The distinctive aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg makes it unforgettable.

Steps

Pasta and Ragu

Cook the macaroni in salted water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes), then drain and toss with 2 tbsp of grated cheese. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion for 5 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (about 8-10 minutes). Drain any excess fat.

Season Ragu

Stir in the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, red wine (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.

Béchamel Sauce

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 2 minutes until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until smooth and lump-free. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in the egg yolks, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Assemble and Bake

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread half of the cheesy pasta at the bottom of a large, deep baking dish. Top with all of the ground beef ragu, then the remaining pasta. Finally, pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

	Per 100g	Per Serving 350g
Calories	280 kcal	980 kcal
Protein	15g	52.5g
Fat	16g	56g
Carbohydrate	18g	63g
Fiber	1.5g	5.25g
Sugar	3g	10.5g

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meat

baked

everyday

main course

creamy

Greek

all seasons

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Pastitsio Greek Baked Pasta

Difficulty

Time

Price Category

Calories

ingredients

Steps

Pasta and Ragu

Season Ragu

Béchamel Sauce

Assemble and Bake

Extra Tips

► Don't overcook the pasta; boil it al dente as it will continue to cook in the oven.

► For an even richer béchamel, add a pinch of white pepper along with the nutmeg.

► For an authentic Greek flavor, use Kefalotyri or Graviera cheese instead of Parmesan.

Nutrition