Ingredients for the Meat Sauce
- 500 g ground beef
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 100 g red wine
- 50 g water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- Sweet paprika
- Olive oil
Preparation for the Meat Sauce
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
- Add the tomato paste and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the ground beef and cook for 4–5 minutes, until browned. Deglaze with the red wine.
- Add the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, water, and parsley.
- Simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Set aside.
Ingredients for the Béchamel Sauce
- 100 g butter
- 100 g all-purpose flour
- 1 liter milk
- 2 egg yolks
- Salt
- Pepper
- Nutmeg, grated
- 150 g grated graviera cheese (or Parmesan as an alternative)
Preparation for the Béchamel Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter without browning. Add the flour and whisk continuously until lightly toasted.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Cook until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble. Remove from heat.
- Stir in salt, pepper, nutmeg, and grated cheese. Mix well to cool slightly.
- Add the egg yolks and whisk until fully incorporated.
Ingredients for the Pasta
- 400 g pastitsio pasta (or tubular pasta)
- 200 g crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 eggs
Preparation for the Pasta
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain.
- Place the pasta in a lightly oiled baking dish. Add the beaten eggs, olive oil, and crumbled feta. Mix well.
Assembly in the Baking Dish
- Add 5 tbsp of béchamel to the meat sauce and mix well.
- Spread the meat sauce evenly over the pasta.
- Top with the remaining béchamel, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180–190°C (355–375°F) for 40 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
A Taste of Greek Tradition
Pastitsio is the ultimate comfort food, with layers of hearty meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and perfectly seasoned pasta. This dish brings the warmth of a Greek kitchen to your table, perfect for family gatherings or special occasions. Enjoy this classic delicacy and let its rich flavors transport you to Greece!
