Pastitsio
Pastitsio is a traditional Greek comfort food that expertly combines layers of al dente pasta, savory meat sauce, and a rich béchamel topping. This hearty dish is perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in, offering a warm embrace with every bite. The delightful aroma and golden crust will have everyone at the table asking for seconds. Easy to prepare yet visually impressive, this pastitsio recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup butter (for béchamel)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (for béchamel)
- 4 cups whole milk (for béchamel)
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent; add ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in garlic, then add crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk while whisking continuously until thickened. Stir in nutmeg and Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Layer half of the macaroni in a baking dish, followed by meat sauce and remaining macaroni. Pour béchamel over top and sprinkle with extra Parmesan.
- Cook uncovered for about 45 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (200g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg