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Greek Pastitsio (Baked Pasta with Ground Beef & Béchamel) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 544 reviews

Greek Pastitsio is a traditional baked pasta dish featuring layers of al dente pasta, a flavorful ground beef meat sauce infused with aromatic spices and wine, and a creamy, nutmeg-scented béchamel sauce topped with grated cheese. This hearty and comforting casserole is baked to golden perfection and rests to develop rich flavors, making it a beloved classic in Greek cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 2.4 pounds (1100 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and lamb or pork)
  • 3 tablespoons (36 g) olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 large onion (180 g), grated or finely chopped
  • 1 carrot (120 g), grated
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup (240 g) dry wine (white, rose, or red)
  • ¼ cup (70 g) tomato paste
  • 2 cups (500 g) pureed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Pasta

  • 1 pound (450 g) pastitsio pasta No2
  • 1 ½ cups (120 g) grated cheese (mix of Greek Kefalotiri and Parmigiano Reggiano)

Béchamel Sauce

  • 1.2 cups (150 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (108 g) olive oil (or butter)
  • Freshly ground nutmeg (approx. ⅓ of a nutmeg seed)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fine salt
  • 6 cups (1460 g) whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups (120 g) grated cheese (mix of Greek Kefalotiri and Parmigiano Reggiano)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a deep pot over high heat, add ground beef and let brown on one side without stirring. Stir and break up meat lumps. Cook until juices evaporate, then reduce heat to medium, add grated onion and carrot, cook 5 minutes until soft and glossy. Add bay leaves, cinnamon stick, ground cloves, salt, and pepper, stir well. Pour in wine and cook for 1 minute to evaporate alcohol. Add pureed tomatoes and tomato paste, bring to boil, then simmer gently until liquid nearly evaporates. Remove bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
  2. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 3 minutes less than package instructions to allow for further cooking in the oven. Drain, rinse briefly with cold water, and transfer about two-thirds of the pasta into a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over the pasta and gently toss or shake to incorporate.
  3. Layer Meat Sauce: Spoon the prepared meat sauce over the pasta, spread evenly with the back of a spoon. Cover meat sauce with remaining pasta layer.
  4. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 355°F (180°C) to prepare for baking.
  5. Make Béchamel Sauce: In a large pot, heat olive oil and flour over medium-high heat, whisking constantly until the flour smells nutty. Remove from heat and gradually whisk in milk to prevent lumps. Return to medium heat, continue whisking until sauce thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat, let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in freshly ground nutmeg, salt, and grated cheese. Add eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition.
  6. Assemble and Bake: Pour béchamel sauce evenly over the layered pasta and meat. Smooth surface with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the top is golden brown with dark spots.
  7. Rest and Serve: Let the pastitsio rest for 30 minutes after baking to set properly and allow easier slicing. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Adding beef or chicken bouillon to the meat sauce can enhance flavor; reduce salt accordingly if using.
  • The meat sauce should be quite dry; simmer until most liquid evaporates. If in a hurry, absorb excess liquid by adding 1-2 tablespoons of ground rusks.
  • If Pastitsio pasta is unavailable, use bucatini or penne pasta with a hollow center for the best result.
  • Using a standard 13×9 inch deep casserole dish may leave some béchamel sauce leftover. To reduce béchamel quantity, use 57 g olive oil, 100 g flour, and 1000 g milk instead.
  • An alternative pan option is a disposable aluminum pan sized approximately 13.25 x 9.63 x 3.5 inches.

Keywords: Greek Pastitsio, baked pasta, ground beef casserole, béchamel sauce, traditional Greek recipe

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/greek-pastitsio-baked-pasta-with-ground-beef-and-bechamel-recipe/