ReceptnaptárPastitsio (Greek baked pasta)
Pastitsio is the Greek lasagne: macaroni, spiced meat sauce and a thick, rich béchamel topped with golden cheese. Cinnamon and nutmeg give it the characteristic Greek flavor. It is a big, festive dish, and just as good the next day.
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Ingredients
Method
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- For the meat sauce, soften the onion in a little oil, add the garlic and ground meat. Cook for 8-10 minutes until browned. Add the tomato paste, cook for 1 minute, then pour in the wine and let it cook off.
- Add the passata and cinnamon, oregano, season with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered over low heat for 25-30 minutes until thickened. Remove the cinnamon stick.
- Cook the macaroni in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package says, then drain. Toss with 2 tablespoons of cheese and 1 beaten egg yolk.
- For the béchamel, melt the butter, add the flour, cook for 2 minutes while stirring, then gradually pour in the warm milk. Cook until thick (8-10 minutes), remove from the heat, and stir in the remaining yolks, half the cheese and the nutmeg.
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C (165 °C fan). Spread half the macaroni in a large baking dish, top with the meat sauce, then the remaining macaroni. Pour the béchamel on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake at 180 °C for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Rest for 15 minutes so it can be sliced.
A Receptnaptár original recipe. Calories and protein are estimated.
Tips
- Make the béchamel thick so it does not run.
- Cook the pasta slightly firmer, since it softens while baking.
- After 15 minutes of resting it slices cleanly.
- It can be assembled ahead and keeps 2 days in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from moussaka?
Moussaka has eggplant, pastitsio has pasta.
Can it be frozen?
Yes, baked and sliced, for 2 months.
Similar recipes
- Lasagne al forno · Italian
- Makarone sa mlevenim mesom (macaroni bake with minced meat) · South Slavic
- Skillet lasagne · Italian
- Quick baked beef and penne · Italian
- Lasagna soup with beef and ricotta · American
- Moussaka · Greek
More greek ideas
- Kritharaki me kotopoulo (baked chicken with orzo)
- Kotopoulo me hilopites (chicken with Greek egg noodles)
- Youvetsi (beef and orzo baked in a clay pot)
- Makaronia me kima (Greek spaghetti with cinnamon meat sauce)
- Kotopoulo kokkinisto (chicken in cinnamon tomato sauce with pasta)
- Pastitsio
- Gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers)
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