Pastitsio Greek noodle casserole with minced meat sauce and béchamel
Greek Recipe

Pastitsio

For pastichi, macaroni or bucatini are layered with cheese, served with a minced tomato sauce with cinnamon and cloves and a thick béchamel. The casserole is baked until golden brown.

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Total time 1 hr 30 min
Calories 710 kcal
Servings 6 servings
Difficulty Medium
By the Published Updated Editorially approved

Why this recipe works

Pastitsio with pasta, minced meat and béchamel

Pastitsio is similar to lasagne, but tastes distinctly Greek with cinnamon, cloves and the thick béchamel layer. The pasta should be cooked only just to keep its structure in the oven. Rest time helps with clean cutting.

Mediterranean Cuisine Lunch Dinner Meat

Recipe

Pastitsio

Pastitsio is a Greek noodle casserole with tubular noodles, spicy minced meat sauce, cinnamon and creamy béchamel. Let rest briefly after baking.

Ingredients

6 servings

Method

  1. 1

    Cooking noodles

    Cook the pasta in salted water until just al dente, drain and mix with a little cheese and eggs.

  2. 2

    Cooking mince sauce

    Brown onion and garlic, brown minced meat. Add tomato paste, tomatoes, cinnamon, cloves, salt and pepper and reduce.

  3. 3

    Prepare the béchamel

    Melt butter, stir in flour and add milk in portions. Boil thickly, season and stir in cheese.

  4. 4

    Layer the casserole

    Put the pasta in the tin, spread the mince sauce on top and cover with béchamel.

  5. 5

    Bake and rest

    Bake Pastitsio at 180 degrees for 35 minutes, then leave to rest for 10 minutes to allow the pieces to hold.

Kitchen know-how

Tips for Pastitsio

Cook the noodles until just tender

The noodles continue to cook in the oven. Too soft noodles make the casserole unstable.

Thick Béchamel

Pastitsio needs a rather firm béchamel to keep the surface stable.

Rest assured

After a short rest period, the pieces can be cut significantly better.

Variations

How to adapt this recipe

Chopped lamb brings more Greek character. The spices can then be dosed a little more gently.

Pastitsio can be layered a few hours in advance. Allow a little more time for baking.

Nutrition per serving

710kcal
72.0 gCarbohydrates
34.0 gProtein
30.0 gFat

Values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, portion size and preparation method used.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ about Pastitsio

Tubular noodles such as macaroni, bucatini or pastitsio noodles are ideal because they keep the layers stable.

The pasta was too soft or the béchamel too thin. Cook the pasta just short and cook the béchamel thick.

Cinnamon and a little clove or allspice give Pastitsio its typical warm taste.

Yes, it is very easy to heat up. Cover and heat in the oven to prevent it from drying out.

Keep cooking

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