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Pastitsio (Baked Greek Pasta)
5 from 18 votes

Pastitsio (Baked Greek Pasta)

Pastitsio is a baked Greek pasta casserole layered with a rich ground beef tomato sauce and topped with a thick, creamy béchamel sauce infused with nutmeg and grated Kefalotyri cheese. The baked dish has a hearty texture and a blend of savory, fragrant flavors.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 730 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek

Ingredients

  • 15 oz pasta See Note 1, Pastitsio No. 2 Greek bucatini
  • 4 oz feta cheese crumbled
  • 2 egg white
Meat Sauce
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 red onion finely chopped (2 cups, large
  • 2 garlic minced, cloves
  • 14 oz tomato chopped
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 3/4 cup red wine dry
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 clove whole
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper ground
Greek Bechamel Sauce
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk whole
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg freshly grated (preferably)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 4 oz kefalotyri cheese finely shredded - divided (Note 2, or Parmesan
  • 2 egg yolk

Instructions

Meat Sauce
    Cup of Yum
  1. Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste and the ground beef. Break up the meat with a spoon and brown for 5 minutes.
  2. Pour in the red wine, cook until evaporated. Add the tomatoes, sugar, cinnamon stick, clove, bay leaf and season. Bring to the boil, then simmer covered for about 30 minutes until liquid is mostly gone. Sauce should be thick. Discard the bay leaf, clove and cinnamon stick. Set aside to cool while making the bechamel.
Greek Bechamel Sauce
  1. In a large saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Add the flour, whisking continuously to form a paste. Slowly add the warm milk, whisking to prevent lumps. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and thick, cooking for 5 minutes. The bechamel should be thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. You'll know it's ready when you can run your finger through it to create a solid strip.
  2. Remove from heat and add a pinch salt, black pepper, nutmeg and 2 ounces of the Kefalotyri cheese. Whisk until smooth. Let cool 5 minutes and whisk in egg yolks. Cover and set aside.
Pasta
  1. Cook the pasta 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions, so it doesn't get mushy after baking. Drain, then return to the pot. Allow to cool for 3 minutes and stir in the egg whites and feta cheese and mix gently with a spatula.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
Assembly
  1. Use olive oil or butter to coat the bottom and sides of a deep pan. Use either a 2.75" deep 9x13" baking dish or a larger 10x15" baking pan. Layer the pasta on bottom (spreading to even layer with spatula), top with the meat sauce (again spreading to even layer with spatula) then top with the bechamel sauce (again spreading to even layer with spatula). Sprinkle remaining 2 ounces of shredded Kefalotyri cheese over the top.
  2. Bake for 40 minutes, until crust turns a light golden brown. Allow pastitsio to cool down before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Kefalotyri cheese can be substituted with Mizithra or Parmesan if needed.
  • Italian bucatini, penne, or ziti can replace Greek Pastitsio pasta, but choose smooth pasta without ridges for best layering.
  • A properly cooked béchamel will coat the back of a spoon, thick enough to leave a clear line when wiped.

Nutrition Information

Calories 730kcal (37%) Carbohydrates 49g (16%) Protein 33g (66%) Fat 43g (66%) Saturated Fat 19g (95%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 155mg (52%) Sodium 1040mg (43%) Potassium 623mg (13%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 699IU (14%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 353mg (35%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 730

% Daily Value*

Calories 730kcal 37%
Carbohydrates 49g 16%
Protein 33g 66%
Fat 43g 66%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 155mg 52%
Sodium 1040mg 43%
Potassium 623mg 13%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 699IU 14%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 353mg 35%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.