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Pastitsio Recipe
4.4 from 60 votes

Pastitsio Recipe

Pastitsio is a baked pasta casserole featuring layers of ziti pasta tossed with melted butter, a richly spiced ground beef and lamb tomato sauce infused with garlic, cinnamon, bay leaves, and parsley, and a creamy white sauce made from butter, flour, milk, and eggs with Parmesan cheese. The dish is finished with a breadcrumb and Parmesan topping, baked until golden and set. The combination results in a hearty, savory meal with layers of tender pasta, robust meat sauce, and smooth béchamel.

Prep Time
1 hr 30 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Calories: 789 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, American

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 onion grated, yellow
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound lamb ground
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 15 ounce crushed tomatoes canned
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup parsley fresh, minced
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 bay leaf
  • 1 egg lightly beaten, white
For the Pasta:
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 4 tablespoons butter melted, unsalted
  • 1 egg slightly beaten
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese or romano cheese
For the White Sauce:
  • ½ cup butter unsalted
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk whole
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 egg lightly beaten, yolk
  • ¾ cup Parmesan Cheese or romano cheese
To Assemble the Pasta:
  • 2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs divided, ¼ cup
  • ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese or romano cheese

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish; set aside.
  2. Make the Meat Sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook until softened and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the beef and lamb, increase the heat to medium-high and cook, breaking up the meat, until it is thoroughly browned. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, salt, pepper, sugar, cinnamon stick and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the mixture is a thick meat reduction, about 1 hour, then remove from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick and bay leaves.
  3. Make the Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the ziti to al dente. Drain the pasta, return it to the pot and immediately toss with the melted butter; set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Make the White Sauce: In a large saute pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until slightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce is thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the salt, pepper and nutmeg and set aside to cool slightly.
  5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  6. Assemble the Pastitsio: Sprinkle the bottom of the greased baking dish with 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs.
  7. Stir the beaten egg and cheese into the pasta and spread half of the pasta mixture onto the bottom of the baking dish. Fold the egg white into the meat sauce and spread the entire mixture on top of the pasta. Top with the remaining pasta. Whisk the egg yolks and cheese into the white sauce and spread on top of the pasta. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ¼ cup breadcrumbs and cheese and sprinkle on top of the white sauce.
  8. Bake until the surface of the pastitsio is browned and bubbling, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Allow to sit for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Leftovers should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • Use a well-greased 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and aid in easy serving.
  • Simmer the meat sauce uncovered until thickened to concentrate flavors and prevent excess liquid.
  • Cook pasta to al dente so it holds shape during baking without becoming mushy.
  • Allow the baked Pastitsio to rest before slicing for cleaner portions.
  • Discard cinnamon stick and bay leaves after simmering the meat sauce to avoid biting into spices.

Nutrition Information

Calories 789kcal (39%) Carbohydrates 65g (22%) Protein 46g (92%) Fat 52g (80%) Saturated Fat 26g (130%) Cholesterol 244mg (81%) Sodium 1039mg (43%) Potassium 920mg (20%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 1435IU (29%) Vitamin C 11.6mg (13%) Calcium 518mg (52%) Iron 5.1mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 to 8 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 789

% Daily Value*

Calories 789kcal 39%
Carbohydrates 65g 22%
Protein 46g 92%
Fat 52g 80%
Saturated Fat 26g 130%
Cholesterol 244mg 81%
Sodium 1039mg 43%
Potassium 920mg 20%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 1435IU 29%
Vitamin C 11.6mg 13%
Calcium 518mg 52%
Iron 5.1mg 28%

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