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Pastitsio Recipe


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  • Author: Molly
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 to 10 servings
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Pastitsio is a traditional Greek baked pasta dish layered with cinnamon-spiced meat sauce, tender pasta, and creamy béchamel—comforting, hearty, and perfect for gatherings.


Ingredients

2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 pound lean ground beef

1 pound ground lamb

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

28 ounces crushed tomatoes

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 stick salted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, divided

2 eggs

2/3 cup sheep yogurt or Greek yogurt

3/4 pound small shell pasta

Chopped fresh parsley (optional)


Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot. Sauté onion for 5 minutes. Add beef and lamb; cook until browned, 8–10 minutes.
  2. Drain fat. Add balsamic vinegar; cook 2–3 minutes. Stir in garlic, cinnamon, oregano, thyme; cook 5 more minutes.
  3. Add tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 45 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Heat milk and cream until simmering. In a separate pan, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook 2 minutes.
  6. Gradually add milk mixture to flour mixture, whisking until thickened. Stir in nutmeg, salt, pepper, half the cheese, and 1/2 cup of meat sauce. Cool 10 minutes.
  7. Whisk eggs and stir into béchamel along with yogurt.
  8. Cook pasta until al dente. Combine with remaining meat sauce and transfer to baking dish.
  9. Spread béchamel over pasta and top with remaining cheese.
  10. Bake 1 hour until golden. Rest before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Sub ground pork or turkey for lamb or beef.
  • Add clove or allspice for deeper spice notes.
  • Use ziti or penne if shells aren’t available.
  • Include a layer of eggplant or zucchini.
  • Make it gluten-free with GF pasta and flour.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 540
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 31g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 115mg