Pastitsio Greek nude run with minced meat sauce and bechamel
Greek Recipe

Pastitsio

For Pastitsio macaroni or bucatini are layered with cheese, plus a minced tomato sauce with cinnamon and clove as well as a thick béchamel. The casserole is baked 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 resembles lasagne, but tastes clearly Greek with cinnamon, clove and the thick Béchamel layer. The noodles should only be cooked to keep them in the oven structure. Rest time helps to clean cutting.

Mediterranean Cuisine Lunch Dinner Meat

Recipe

Pastitsio

Pastitsio is a Greek nude run with tubular noodles, spicy minced meat sauce, cinnamon and creamy béchamel. After baking let rest briefly.

Ingredients

6 servings

Method

  1. 1

    Cook noodles

    Cook noodles in salt water just al dente, drain and mix with some cheese and optional eggs.

  2. 2

    Cook minced meat sauce

    Fry onion and garlic, brown minced meat. Add tomato paste, tomatoes, cinnamon, clove, salt and pepper and cook.

  3. 3

    Prepare béchamel

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

  4. 4

    Coatings

    Put noodles in the form, spread minced meat sauce on it and cover with béchamel.

  5. 5

    Bake and rest

    Bake pastitsio at 180 degrees for 35 minutes. Leave to rest for 10 minutes to keep the pieces.

Kitchen know-how

Tips for Pastitsio

Cook noodles

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

Big Béchamel

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

Leave it alone

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

Variations

How to adapt this recipe

Lamb chop brings more Greek character. The spices can then be dosed a little milder.

Pastitsio can be layered a few hours before. Plan a little more time when baking.

Nutrition per serving

710kcal
72.0 gCarbohydrates
34.0 gProtein
30.0 gFat

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

Frequently asked questions

FAQ about Pastitsio

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

Noodles were too soft or the béchamel too thin. Cook noodles scarcely and cook béchamel thick.

Cinnamon and some clove or piment give Pastitsio the typical warm taste.

Yes, it can be warmed up very well. Covered in the oven heat so that it does not dry out.

Keep cooking

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