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Greek Pastitsio Dish Recipe

Greek Pastitsio

A comforting Greek casserole with layers of pasta, meat sauce, and creamy béchamel.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium red onions, chopped
  • 2 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp white sugar
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • 1 tsp cinnamon powder
  • 1 4 tsp ground cloves
  • 3 4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onions, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the onions soften.
  • Add the beef mince, breaking it up as it cooks until it turns from red to brown.
  • Stir in the remaining meat sauce ingredients. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick with little liquid. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir for 1 minute.
  • Gradually pour in half of the milk while stirring to form a wet paste. Then, add the remaining milk, whisking until the mixture is lump-free.
  • Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, cheese, and salt. Let cool for 5 minutes, then whisk in the egg yolks.
  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 1 minute. Drain and return to the pot. Let cool for 3 minutes, then stir in the egg whites and crumbled feta.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a baking dish (9 x 13 x 2.75 inches), layer the pasta evenly. Top with the meat sauce, smoothing it out, then pour over the Béchamel sauce. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing to serve.

Notes

You can store cooked Pastitsio in the fridge for 4-5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat covered in the oven.
Keyword Greek Pastitsio Recipe