Pastitsio

Pastitsio

Layers of golden pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy béchamel bake together until bubbly and browned—each forkful a warm embrace of Greek tradition. In the heart of this beloved bake, the succulent meat melds with spice, tomato, and creamy cheese to deliver comfort, depth, and unforgettable flavor.

Ingredients for the Meat Sauce

• 500 g ground beef
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 100 g red wine
• 50 g water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sweet paprika
• Olive oil

Instructions for the Meat Sauce

1. In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic.
2. Add the tomato paste and sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Add the ground beef, cooking for 4-5 minutes until browned. Deglaze with the red wine.
4. Add the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, water, and parsley.
5. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until the sauce thickens. Once ready, remove the bay leaves and set aside.

Ingredients for the Béchamel Sauce

• 100 g butter
• 100 g all-purpose flour
• 1 liter milk
• 2 egg yolks
• Salt
• Pepper
• Ground nutmeg
• 150 g grated graviera cheese (or similar cheese)

Instructions for the Béchamel Sauce

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter without letting it brown. Add the flour, whisking constantly until lightly toasted.
2. Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
3. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble. Remove from heat.
4. Off the heat, add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cheese, stirring to cool the sauce slightly. Finally, add the egg yolks and whisk well.

Ingredients for the Pasta

• 400 g pastitsio pasta (or other tubular pasta)
• 200 g feta cheese, crumbled
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 eggs

Instructions for the Pasta

1. In a pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until slightly underdone, as it will cook further in the oven.
2. Drain the pasta and place it in a lightly oiled baking pan.
3. Add the beaten eggs, olive oil, and crumbled feta, and mix well.

Assembly in the Baking Pan

1. Add 5 tablespoons of béchamel to the meat sauce and stir.
2. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the pasta in the pan.
3. Pour the remaining béchamel sauce over the meat layer, spreading it evenly.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 180-190°C (350-375°F) for 40 minutes or until golden.

Enjoy your homemade pastitsio!

Why It’s Irresistible

The fragrant beef sauce blends cinnamon and wine, while béchamel adds silky richness—a harmony of textures and flavors that feels indulgent yet timeless.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm, with a dusting of grated cheese and a simple green salad to cut through the richness.

Learn More About Meat’s Importance!
Curious about the role of meat in a balanced diet? Click here to discover on DeliciousPath why meat is essential for your health and how it contributes to a nutritious lifestyle.