Classic Pastitsio Recipe

This Classic Pastitsio recipe is a traditional Greek dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. Made with layers of pasta, ground meat, and béchamel sauce, this hearty and flavorful casserole is perfect for any occasion. It requires a bit of preparation, but the end result is definitely worth it. Serve it alongside a Greek salad and crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• For the meat sauce:
• - 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• - 1 onion, finely chopped
• - 3 cloves garlic, minced
• - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• - 1 teaspoon dried basil
• - Salt and pepper to taste
• - ½ cup red wine (optional)
• For the pasta:
• - 1 pound penne or ziti pasta
• - 2 tablespoons butter
• - 2 eggs, beaten
• - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• For the béchamel sauce:
• - 6 tablespoons butter
• - ½ cup all-purpose flour
• - 4 cups milk
• - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• - 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• - Salt and pepper to taste
• For the topping:
• - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• - ¼ cup breadcrumbs

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. To make the meat sauce, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. If using, add the red wine. Simmer the sauce for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. While the meat sauce is simmering, cook the penne or ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot. Add the butter, beaten eggs, and grated Parmesan cheese to the pot. Mix well to combine.
6. To make the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
7. Gradually add the milk to the saucepan, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens.
8. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and ground nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. To assemble the pastitsio, spread half of the pasta mixture in the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with the meat sauce and spread it evenly. Pour the béchamel sauce over the meat sauce and spread it evenly as well.
10. In a small bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the béchamel sauce.
11. Bake the pastitsio in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
12. Remove the pastitsio from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

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