Description
Pastitsio Delight is a rich layered Greek pasta bake that combines tubular pasta, a savory meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb tubular pasta (like bucatini or ziti)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (14 oz crushed tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup red wine (optional)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup grated cheese (Kefalotyri or Parmesan)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Add ground meat and cook until browned, draining excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper; simmer for 20 minutes.
- In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk until thickened.
- Remove from heat and whisk in eggs, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and layer half of the pasta in a greased baking dish.
- Spread meat sauce over pasta, layer remaining pasta, and pour béchamel on top.
- Sprinkle with additional grated cheese and bake for 45-50 minutes until golden.
- Cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serve warm.
Notes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Pastitsio, Greek Pasta Bake, Comfort Food