Pastitsio

Pastitsio, often called Greek lasagna, has layers of cinnamon-spiced beef, penne, and a rich béchamel topping for the most amazing baked pasta dish the whole family will enjoy!

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 576 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups milk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 dash ground nutmeg
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 whole clove
• 0.5 cup butter
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
• 0.5 cup vegetable broth
• 0.25 cup tomato paste
• 0.5 cup dry red wine

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2

Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Pour melted butter, cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper over pasta; toss well and cool briefly. Add eggs and toss again; set aside.

Step 4

Make the meat sauce: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir gently until onion is soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase heat and add ground beef; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in wine, broth, tomato paste, parsley, cinnamon, clove, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

Step 5

Make the béchamel: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Pour in milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cool slightly before stirring in beaten egg. Transfer 1/2 cup of this sauce to the meat sauce.

Step 6

To assemble pastitsio: Spoon 1/2 of the prepared pasta evenly in the bottom of prepared baking dish; top with meat sauce and remaining pasta. Pour béchamel sauce on top and spread to completely cover pasta. Sprinkle Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and golden brown on top, about 50 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.