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Traditional Pastitsio with Rich Béchamel Sauce delights!

Traditional Pastitsio is a classic Greek dish featuring layers of pasta, a rich meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel sauce, baked to perfection.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups milk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs beaten

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet, cooking until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  6. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden.
  7. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg, Parmesan cheese, and beaten eggs.
  8. In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, layer half of the pasta, followed by the meat sauce, then the remaining pasta. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top, spreading it evenly.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of the dishCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Notes

  • For added flavor, mix in some chopped fresh parsley or mint into the meat sauce.
  • Substitute the ground meat with a plant-based alternative for a vegetarian version.

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