Pastitsio

Pastitsio is a traditional Greek baked pasta dish that consists of layers of pasta, a meaty tomato-based sauce, and a creamy béchamel sauce. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion. Here’s a recipe you can try at home:

Ingredients:

For the meat sauce:

• 500g ground beef or lamb
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the béchamel sauce:

• 6 tbsp butter
• 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the pasta:

• 500g penne or other tubular pasta
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. To make the meat sauce, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the ground meat to the pan and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
5. Add the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, red wine, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. To make the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly until smooth and bubbly.
7. Gradually add the milk to the saucepan, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
8. Add the nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the béchamel sauce and stir to combine.
9. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese.
10. Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the eggs and Parmesan and mix to combine.
11. Grease a large baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Spread half of the pasta mixture in the bottom of the dish.
12. Spoon the meat sauce over the pasta layer, spreading it evenly.
13. Spread the remaining pasta mixture over the meat sauce.
14. Pour the béchamel sauce over the pasta layer, spreading it evenly to cover the pasta completely.
15. Bake the pastitsio for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
16. Let the pastitsio cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Pastitsio is a delicious and comforting dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. The layers of pasta, meat sauce, and creamy béchamel sauce create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Serve it with a Greek salad and some crusty bread for a complete meal.