Description
Pastitsio is the ultimate Greek comfort dish, featuring layers of pasta, a richly spiced meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel topping baked to golden perfection. Often described as “Greek lasagna,” this hearty, flavorful dish is a must-try for any Mediterranean food lover.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground lamb (or substitute with more beef)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry red wine
- 1 (28 oz) can San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup water
For the Béchamel Sauce:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta Layer:
- 12 oz ziti or Greek pastitsio pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and lamb, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned.
- Pour in the red wine and let it simmer until mostly evaporated.
- Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, cayenne, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Add ½ cup of water and let the sauce simmer for 20-25 minutes until thickened.
2. Make the Béchamel Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until smooth.
- Cook until the sauce thickens, then stir in nutmeg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before stirring in Greek yogurt.
3. Cook the Pasta
- Boil pasta until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
4. Assemble the Pastitsio
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the pasta.
- Spread the meat sauce evenly over the pasta.
- Top with the remaining pasta, then pour the béchamel sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake to Perfection
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version: Use lean ground turkey and low-fat milk.
- Make-ahead option: Assemble the dish a day in advance and bake before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked or baked pastitsio for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek