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Easy Homemade Pastitsio

Easy Homemade Pastitsio

Easy Homemade Pastitsio is a comforting Greek dish, featuring layered pasta, meat sauce, and creamy béchamel, perfect for any dinner gathering.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground Beef or lentils/mushrooms for vegetarian
  • 1 medium Onion chopped
  • 1 cup Tomato Sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon can add nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt or sea salt
For the Noodles
  • 12 ounces Pastitsio Noodles or mostaccioli/large penne
  • 1 large Eggs beaten, or flax eggs for vegan
For the Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter or margarine
  • 4 tablespoons Flour or gluten-free flour
  • 2 cups Whole Milk or plant-based milk
  • 1 cup Kasseri Cheese or Asiago
For the Topping
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter for topping

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • medium saucepan
  • large pot
  • Baking pan

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Homemade Pastitsio
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté one chopped onion until translucent. Incorporate one pound ground beef, cooking until browned. Stir in one cup of tomato sauce and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  2. Boil salted water in a large pot and cook 12 ounces of pastitsio noodles for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Mix with one beaten egg.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in 4 tablespoons of flour for 2 minutes. Gradually add 2 cups of whole milk, whisking until thickened. Stir in two beaten eggs off the heat.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 12 x 18-inch baking pan. Layer half of the cooked noodles, half of the meat sauce, and 1 cup of Kasseri cheese. Repeat layers and top with béchamel.
  5. Bake for about 1 hour until golden brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Allow meat sauce to sit overnight for better flavor. Cook noodles al dente to maintain structure during baking.

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