If you're a fan of hearty, comforting meals, Greek pastitsio should be on your radar. This traditional Greek lasagna with bechamel is a staple in Greek cuisine, and it's easy to see why. With layers of pasta, seasoned ground meat, and creamy bechamel sauce, pastitsio is a flavorful and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.
This traditional pastitsio recipe requires the following ingredients: bucatini pasta, ground beef, onion, garlic cloves, tomato can, tomato paste, cinnamon, salt, pepper, Greek olive oil, milk, butter, all-purpose flour, nutmeg, eggs, and kefalograviera cheese (or kefalotyri cheese)
Pastitsio Recipe - Ingredients
- 1 pound of bucatini pasta
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cups of milk
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup of grated kefalograviera cheese
Pastitsio Recipe - How to Make
- Start this authentic pastitsio recipe by preheating your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for a few minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, stirring frequently to break up any clumps.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns golden brown.
- Slowly add the milk to the saucepan, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the nutmeg and beaten eggs.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, ground beef mixture, and half of the kefalograviera cheese. Mix well to combine.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Pour the pasta and beef mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
- Pour the bechamel sauce over the pasta and beef mixture, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the remaining kefalograviera cheese over the top of the bechamel sauce.
- Bake the pastitsio in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the pastitsio cool for a few minutes before serving.
This classic Greek pastitsio recipe is sure to become a family favorite. With its layers of pasta, seasoned beef, and creamy bechamel sauce, it's a comforting and delicious meal that's perfect for any occasion. Serve it with a Greek horiatiki salad and crusty bread for a complete and satisfying launch or dinner.