Best 5 Pastitsio Greek Lasagna Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Pastitsio, a beloved Greek dish, also known as pastitsada in some regions, is a culinary masterpiece that combines the richness of pasta, minced meat, and a velvety béchamel sauce. Originating from the bustling kitchens of Greece, this hearty dish is a symphony of flavors and textures that has tantalized taste buds for generations. With its traditional layering of pasta, meat filling, and luscious béchamel, pastitsio is a dish that embodies the essence of Greek cuisine, offering a delightful journey through the Mediterranean flavors. Whether you're a seasoned cook looking to expand your culinary repertoire or a novice eager to explore the vibrant world of Greek cooking, this guide will lead you through the steps, ingredients, and techniques needed to create a mouthwatering pastitsio that will transport you to the heart of Greece with every bite.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PASTITSIO - GREEK LASAGNA



Pastitsio - Greek Lasagna image

Make and share this Pastitsio - Greek Lasagna recipe from Food.com.

Provided by KelBel

Categories     Penne

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 lbs ground lamb or 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup tomato sauce
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk
12 ounces penne pasta
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Cook pasta and drain.
  • While pasta is cooking, brown meat in heavy skillet, add onion and garlic and cook until soft.
  • Mix in cinnamon and tomato sauce.
  • In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, whisk in milk and simmer 20 minutes.
  • Add beaten eggs and 1/4 cup parmesan to white sauce.
  • In a buttered two quart casserole dish, add half pasta, top with meat mixture, add the rest of the pasta.
  • Pour white sauce over the top.
  • Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.
  • Bake 60 minutes.

PASTITSIO - GREEK BAKED ZITI/LASAGNA



Pastitsio - Greek Baked Ziti/Lasagna image

Pastitsio is a classic Greek dish that is similar to baked ziti or lasagna. The dish has three main parts: pasta (ziti), tomato sauce with lamb, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, as well as a bechamel sauce.

Provided by cookingandbeer

Categories     Lamb/Sheep

Time 1h45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground lamb (or beef is you choose not to use lamb)
1 medium yellow onion (diced)
4 garlic cloves (minced)
1 cup white wine
2 cups tomato puree
2 tablespoons fresh oregano (chopped)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 lb ziti pasta or 1 lb penne
4 whole eggs (yolks and whites separated)
1 1/2 cups butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups whole milk

Steps:

  • Add the olive oil to a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beer and lamb and cook for 5-6 minutes, or just until you do not see any more pink.
  • Add the onion and garlic and continue to cook until the onions are soft and the garlic is very fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Salt and pepper generously.
  • Pour the white wine into the sauté pan and stir. Allow the wine to reduce by at least half before adding the tomato puree, oregano, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, and allspice.
  • Bring the sauce to a simmer and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the sauce is quick thick. Set aside.
  • While the tomato sauce is simmering, bring your water for the pasta in a stock pot to a boil. Cook the pasta as per the directions on the packaging except cut back the time by 1-2 minutes so that you don't end up with super mushy noodles in the end.
  • While the pasta is cooking begin preparing the béchamel sauce by melting the butter in a large sauté pan. Once melted, slowly add the flour, whisking continuously to fully incorporate the fat and flour to make a roux. Continuing whisking for 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  • Slowly add the milk to the roux, again whisking continuously.
  • Add the 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg and allspice to the béchamel and let cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Place the egg yolks in a small bowl, and, while mixing them continuously, slowly add a tablespoon of the béchamel to the yolks at a time. Do this 4 or 5 times to temper the eggs. Then add the egg mixture to the béchamel and whisk to combine fully. Set aside. Note: DO NOT dump the yolks directly into the hot béchamel sauce without tempering them first or else you will end up with scrambled eggs.
  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Once the pasta is cooked, strain it. Place 1/2 cup of butter in the empty stock pot and, once melted, add the ziti along with the egg whites. Toss to combine but be careful not to break the noodles.
  • To assemble the pastitsio, in a 13 by 9 pyrex baking dish, apply a layer of cooking spray so that the food does not adhere to the dish. Then, spread the ziti across the bottom of the dish, being sure to evenly distribute the noodles. Then, place the tomato sauce on the ziti. Top the tomato sauce with the béchamel, making sure that the entire dish is covered. Sprinkle the freshly grated parmesan cheese on top and place in the over, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until the cheese and béchamel sauce start to brown slightly. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes.
  • Serve by cutting square or rectangular pieces (just as if you were serving lasagna).

PASTITSIO (GREEK LASAGNA)



Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna) image

Well, it is that time of year for the Greek festivals in our area (always in July) & I thought I would post one of our favorite Greek dishes. I love making this for Christmas, New Year's Day or any special occasion. This is one amazing recipe that you're sure to fall in love with. The spices make it distinctively different. It...

Provided by Kimberly Biegacki

Categories     Other Main Dishes

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 22

2 lb ground beef, lean
or use 1 pd beef and 1 pd lamb to make more authentic
2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
1/2 large onion, finely chopped
4 medium garlic cloves, pressed or minced
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
2 tsp dried oregano
1 can(s) (28 oz. tomato puree)
2 Tbsp minced parsley
1 lb elbow macaroni, ziti or cavapatti (cooked, al dente)
1 Tbsp cooking oil
BECHAMEL CREAM SAUCE:
5 - 6 Tbsp butter
6 - 8 Tbsp flour
3 1/2 c milk
3 egg yolks
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 c parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Saute onion in large skillet in butter till soft. Stir in ground beef till lightly browned season with salt, cinnamon & oregano. Stir in tomato puree, garlic & parsley. Cover & simmer gently for 20 minutes. Cook macaroni al dente; add a little salt.
  • 2. Melt butter in pan and blend in flour (use a whisk to blend well).
  • 3. Stir in milk & cook stirring constantly to make a thin white sauce. Beat egg yolks lightly in another dish. Dip out 1 cup of the sauce and pour it in a thin stream & stirring constantly into the yolk mixture until well blended. Pour mixture back into the rest of the sauce and stir for a few minutes over medium heat till it thickens. Add your nutmeg, salt and pepper.
  • 4. Grease 9x13 casserole dish and then put in a thin layer of macaroni.
  • 5. Next, layer with the meat sauce. Finish with layer of macaroni.
  • 6. Pour the creamy sauce over all of it. Jiggle the pan so the sauce runs through all the layers and then sprinkle with the top with parmesan cheese.
  • 7. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Put foil over the top if it starts to get to brown. Remove from oven and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy.
  • 8. Slice into squares and serve.
  • 9. May 14th, 2015 ---- Made up a pan of this for dinner.

PASTITSIO (GREEK LASAGNA)



Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna) image

Pastitsio is a popular dish served at family gatherings and elegant buffet dinners. The bechamel sauce on top makes for its uniqueness.

Provided by Broke Guy

Categories     Macaroni And Cheese

Time 1h50m

Yield 24 squares

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 large onions, minced
3 tablespoons butter
2 lbs lean ground beef
salt and black pepper, to taste
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup cold water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumb
2 1/2 cups parmesan cheese, grated
1 lb elbow macaroni
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups warm milk
1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
8 eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, saute onions in butter until opaque. Crumble beef into saucepan and brown.well. Drain off the fat.
  • Add salt, pepper, tomato sauce, water and sugar. Stir well and simmer 35-40 minutes. At this point there should be very little water in the sauce.
  • Remove from heat and cool. The meat sauce can be made ahead of time.
  • In a saucepan, melt butter and then add in the flour, stiring constantly using a wire whisk. Gradually add the warm milk, stirring vigorously until sauce thickens. Add nutmeg, remove from heat and cool.
  • When ready to use meat sauce, add half of the bread crumbs and 1 1/4 cups parmesan cheese. Stir well and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook the macaroni per package directions in boiling salted water until almost al dente. Drain well, stir in the olive oil and set aside.
  • Butter an 11x17 inch baking pan and sprinkle with 2 tbsp bread crumbs. Spread half of the macaroni across the baking pan and sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over top.
  • Beat the eggs in a bowl using a wire whisk and add in 1/2 cup of the cooled bechamel sauce. Stir well and then add egg mixture into the rest of the bechamel sauce. Add the cheese and stir well.
  • Cover macaroni layer with meat sauce. Pour half of the bechamel sauce over the meat and cover with remaining macaroni. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over macaroni layer.
  • Top macaroni layer with remaining bechamel sauce and top with remaining bread crumbs and cheese.
  • Cook in the oven on a center rack for 50 minutes or until golden brown. Let sit 20 minutes to firm up before cutting and serving.
  • This casserole freezes well and is easy to reheat. Place the frozen pastitsio, covered loosely with foil, in a 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 368.8, Fat 21.2, SaturatedFat 11.3, Cholesterol 129, Sodium 414.1, Carbohydrate 24.1, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.8, Protein 20

PASTITSIO - GREEK LASAGNA



Pastitsio - Greek Lasagna image

I love pastitsio! I try it at each Greek restaurant I visit. This recipe is the closest I have to good Pastitsio in a Greek restaurant. They don't use Parmesan but it is a good substitute. Some restaurants put tomato sauce on top also.

Provided by Patrice Manning

Categories     Beef

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 oz noodles, preferably tubular like rigatoni
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can(s) 8 oz. tomato sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano, dried
1/4 tsp cinnamon, ground
1/2 c parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 c milk i used 2 %
1 egg, beaten

Steps:

  • 1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • 2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
  • 3. Stir in the tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, oregano, pepper and cinnamon if desired; heat through.
  • 4. Place half of macaroni in a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
  • 5. Layer with meat mixture and remaining macaroni. Set aside.
  • 6. In a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
  • 7. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of the hot mixture into egg; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
  • 8. Remove from the heat; stir in remaining cheese. Pour sauce over macaroni.
  • 9. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your pastitsio even more delicious. Use the best quality ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese that you can find.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: The pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. If you overcook it, it will become mushy and ruin the texture of the pastitsio.
  • Make sure the béchamel sauce is thick and creamy: The béchamel sauce is one of the most important components of pastitsio. It should be thick and creamy, not too runny or too thick. If it's too runny, it won't hold its shape in the pastitsio. If it's too thick, it will be difficult to spread.
  • Don't skimp on the cheese: Cheese is essential for making pastitsio rich and flavorful. Use a combination of hard and soft cheeses, such as kefalotyri, parmesan, and mozzarella. The more cheese you use, the better it will taste.
  • Let the pastitsio rest before serving: Once you've assembled the pastitsio, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the pastitsio to set. It will also make it easier to cut into slices.

Conclusion:

Pastitsio is a delicious and hearty Greek dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it with more meat, more cheese, or more vegetables, pastitsio is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a new dish to try, give pastitsio a try. You won't be disappointed.

Related Topics