Pastitsio (or Pastichio)

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 Pastitsio (or Pastichio) is a Greek baked pasta dish, often called Greek lasagna, featuring layers of pasta, spiced meat sauce, and creamy béchamel. It’s a comforting and hearty meal, perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients:

  • Bucatini or Ziti Pasta – 450g

  • Ground Beef or Lamb – 900g

  • Red Onion – 2, finely chopped

  • Garlic – 2 cloves, minced

  • Tomato Paste – 1 tbsp

  • Canned Tomatoes – 400g

  • Red Wine – 150ml

  • Cinnamon Stick & Clove – 1 each

  • Bay Leaf – 1

  • Olive Oil – ¼ cup

  • Salt & Pepper – to taste

Béchamel Sauce:

  • Butter – 120g

  • Flour – 120g

  • Milk – 1L

  • Egg Yolks – 2

  • Nutmeg – 1 pinch

  • Kefalotyri or Parmesan Cheese – 50g, grated

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the meat sauce – Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil. Add ground meat and brown. Stir in tomato paste, wine, canned tomatoes, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.

  2. Make the béchamel – Melt butter, whisk in flour, and gradually add warm milk. Stir until thickened, then mix in egg yolks, nutmeg, and cheese.

  3. Cook the pasta – Boil pasta 2-3 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and mix with crumbled feta and egg whites.

  4. Assemble – Layer pasta, meat sauce, and béchamel in a buttered baking dish.

  5. Bake – Cook at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes, until golden brown.

  6. Serve – Let it rest before slicing.



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