Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of the Mediterranean with our delectable Greek beef casserole, a culinary masterpiece that embodies the essence of Greek cuisine. This savory dish features tender chunks of beef braised to perfection in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, infused with the aromatic blend of oregano, thyme, and bay leaves. Accompanied by succulent vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and potatoes, this casserole is a symphony of textures and flavors that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Greece.
But our culinary journey doesn't stop there. This article presents a curated collection of Greek beef casserole recipes, each with its unique twist on this classic dish. From the traditional Pastitsio, a layered masterpiece of beef, pasta, and creamy béchamel sauce, to the hearty Stifado, where beef is braised with pearl onions and red wine, our selection caters to diverse palates and preferences.
Uncover the secrets of creating the perfect Greek beef casserole with our comprehensive guide. Learn how to select the best cuts of beef, prepare the aromatic tomato sauce, and incorporate the vibrant flavors of Greek herbs and spices. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, our detailed instructions and helpful tips will ensure success in your kitchen.
Embark on a culinary odyssey and savor the delectable flavors of Greek beef casserole. With our diverse range of recipes, you'll discover new favorites that will become staples in your home cooking repertoire. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Greek cuisine.
MOUSSAKA: EGGPLANT CASSEROLE
Greek Moussaka is an eggplant casserole with layers of roasted eggplant and spiced meat sauce, topped with creamy bechamel sauce. Once baked, be sure to allow the moussaka a few minutes to rest before cutting through, the casserole needs to settle so it does not fall apart when you slice into it. More tips in the post and recipe notes.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Entree
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Salt the eggplant. Spread the eggplant slices in one layer and sprinkle with salt. Let set for 30 minutes to "sweat out" its bitterness.
- Turn the broiler of your oven on.
- Prepare a large sheet pan or two and brush with extra virgin olive oil. Pat the eggplant slices dry, removing excess salt, and assemble in one layer on the prepared pan. Brush generously with olive oil.
- Place the sheet pan about 6 inches away from the broiler. Broil the eggplant briefly, turning over so that both sides are softened and golden brown (do not worry if parts of the eggplant are slightly charred, but watch carefully so it doesn't burn). Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet. Cook the onions on medium heat until they turn slightly golden brown, stirring regularly (about 5 minutes). Now add the ground lamb. Cook the lamb until fully browned, tossing regularly. Drain the lamb from any excess fat and return to the skillet. Add the dried oregano, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, and hot paprika. Stir to coat the meat with the spices. Add the wine and boil for 1 minute to reduce. Stir in the canned tomatoes, sugar, and broth. Simmer over medium-low heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350 degrees F and work on the bechamel.
- Make the bechamel. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden (if needed, added a little more olive oil). Gradually add the warmed milk, whisking continuously. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the nutmeg. In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot bechamel mixture with the 2 eggs. Then return all to the pan and stir into the bechamel mixture. Continue to stir or whisk the mixture bringing to a gentle boil for just 2 more minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Remove from the heat and allow to cool and thicken a little more. (You should have a creamy, thick and smooth bechamel sauce.)
- Assemble the moussaka. When ready, lightly oil a 9 ½" x 13" oven-safe baking dish. Layer half the eggplant slices on the bottom. Add the meat sauce and spread well. Add the remaining eggplant slices. Pour the bechamel on top and spread to cover all the eggplant, then sprinkle with the bread crumbs.
- Bake. Bake the moussaka casserole on the center rack of the heated oven for 45 minutes. If you need to, transfer the baking pan to the top rack and broil briefly so that the top of the moussaka gains a nice golden brown color (watch carefully).
- Remove from the heat and let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before cutting through into squares to serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 309.9 kcal, Sodium 259.4 mg, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 19.4 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 12.3 g, Cholesterol 61.2 mg, UnsaturatedFat 10.5 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PASTITSIO (GREEK PASTA BAKE)
Recipe video above. Greece's answer to Italian Lasagna! This traditional Greek dish is made with layers of pasta topped with a rich meat sauce perfumed with a hint of cinnamon and clove, topped with a thick layer of cheese sauce.For the neat layers pictured, arrange the pasta so they're all going in one direction, and rest the baked Pastitsio for 15 minutes before slicing. Excellent for making ahead (keeps for 4 to 5 days in the fridge) and freezes very well!
Provided by Nagi
Categories Main
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Heat in a large pot over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 2 - 3 minutes until onion is softened. Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it changes from red to brown.
- Add wine and and cook until the wine has mostly evaporated - about 3 minutes.
- Add remaining Meat Sauce ingredients. Stir well, bring to simmer, then reduce heat to medium / medium low so it's simmering gently. Cook for 45 min to 1 hour until liquid is mostly gone, stirring every now and then. It should be a thick mixture with little liquid, not saucy like Spaghetti Bolognese (Note 4).
- Remove from stove and cool. Preferably to room temperature, otherwise for at least 30 minutes before assembling (lid off).
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir for 1 minute.
- While stirring, slowly pour half the milk in. It should turn into a wet paste. Then again, while stirring, pour in remaining milk - the paste should easily dissolve so it's lump-free. If not, just whisk vigorously.
- Cook, stirring so the base doesn't catch, for 5 minutes or until thick enough so it coats the back of a wooden spoon thickly and you can draw a path across it with your finger.
- Remove from stove. Stir in nutmeg, cheese and salt.
- Leave to cool for 5 minutes. Then whisk in egg yolks quickly. Place lid on and set aside. If sauce cools and gets too thick to pour, just reheat on a low stove until pourable.
- When you're ready to assemble, cook the pasta per packet instructions, minus 1 minute.
- Drain, then return to the pot. Leave to cool for 3 minutes, then stir through egg whites. Gently stir through crumbled feta.
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types).
- Place pasta in a baking dish (33 x 22 x 7 cm / 9 x 13 x 2.75"), arranging them so they are all going in the same direction as best you can (for visual effect when sliced). Make the surface as level as you can.
- Top with Meat Sauce, then smooth the surface.
- Pour over Béchamel Sauce, then sprinkle over the cheese.
- Bake 30 min or until crust turns golden.
- Cool for at least 10 minutes so you can cut neat slices with tdhe layers neatly visible. Serve!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 597 kcal, Carbohydrate 48 g, Protein 35 g, Fat 28 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 137 mg, Sodium 1062 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 7 g, ServingSize 1 serving
GREEK NOODLE CASSEROLE (PASTITSIO)
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the noodles until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the lamb, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and mint. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- For the sauce: Simmer the milk and cream over medium heat in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the yogurt.
- Add the meat sauce to the pasta and toss well until the noodles are coated. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Spoon the cheese sauce evenly on top and bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped mint if using, and serve.
ONE-POT BEEF STIFADO
Make this delicately spiced stew ahead of time for last-minute gatherings. Ideal for freezing, the flavours of this Greek-style stew intensify when made ahead
Provided by Barney Desmazery
Categories Dinner
Time 3h10m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a flameproof casserole over a medium-high heat and brown the beef all over, removing it to a plate with a slotted spoon as you go (you may need to do this in batches). Drizzle the rest of the oil into the pan. Peel the onions (but leave whole) and add to the pan, then scatter over the sugar. Sizzle for 5 mins, stirring now and then until starting to brown. Add the garlic, bay, cinnamon stick, allspice, cloves and oregano, and cook for 1 min more. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for another minute, then tip in the beef along with any resting juices. Stir to coat in the spiced onion mixture.
- Add the red wine vinegar and chopped tomatoes. Rinse the cans out with the wine and pour it in, then add a third of a can of water. Season with salt and stir well. Bring to a simmer, stir again, then cover with the lid and transfer to the oven for 1 hr.
- Remove from the oven and stir again. If the sauce looks very thick, add a splash more water. Cover again and return to the oven for another hour, or until the meat is fork-tender - the timing will depend on the cut you've used. Serve hot. To get ahead, leave to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and chill for up to three days or freeze for up to three months. Defrost completely in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a pan over a low heat with a splash more water to loosen, if needed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 345 calories, Fat 16 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 9 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 3 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 35 grams protein, Sodium 0.2 milligram of sodium
GREEK BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
This is a great dish for a Sunday brunch, or you can cut it into six pieces and freeze it to have as a quick and easy breakfast any day of the week. I also like to make it with broccoli, carrots, green onions, Canadian bacon and sharp cheddar cheese; the variations are nearly endless! -Lauri Knox, Pine, Colorado
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook sausage, green pepper and shallot over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink, breaking up sausage into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Transfer mixture to an 8-in. square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with artichokes, broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes., In a large bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites, milk and seasonings until blended; pour over top. Sprinkle with feta., Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Freeze option: Cool baked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 325°. Bake casserole as directed until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 229mg cholesterol, Sodium 435mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
GROUND BEEF GREEK CASSEROLE
Make and share this Ground Beef Greek Casserole recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Timothy H.
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large skillet add the beef,onion and garlic until meat is browned and onion is tender.Drain off the fat.Add the tomatoes,1/4 teaspoon salt,pepper and cinnamon.Simmer for 15 minutes.Stir in 1/4 cup of the cheese and macaroni.
- In a 12x8x2 glass casserole dish add the mixture and set aside.In a sauce pan or the skillet melt the butter,blend in the flour and remaining1/4 teaspoon salt.Stir in the milk and cook for about 5 minutes stirring all the time or until sauce is thick.Cool slightly.
- Beat the eggs one at a time.Stir in the remaining1/4 cup cheese and pour over the meat mixture. Place in a preheated oven at 375 and bake for 30-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 517.2, Fat 30.6, SaturatedFat 16.8, Cholesterol 193.9, Sodium 545.9, Carbohydrate 38.3, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 3.8, Protein 22.4
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your casserole. Look for high-quality beef, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs and spices.
- Brown the beef well: Browning the beef adds a lot of flavor to the casserole. Be sure to brown it in a hot skillet until it is well-browned on all sides.
- Use a variety of vegetables: This recipe uses a variety of vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. You can also add other vegetables, such as green beans, peas, or zucchini.
- Season the casserole well: Use a generous amount of salt and pepper to season the casserole. You can also add other herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
- Cook the casserole until the beef is tender: The beef should be cooked until it is fall-apart tender. This will take about 1-2 hours.
- Serve the casserole hot: Serve the casserole hot with a side of rice or mashed potatoes.
Conclusion:
This Greek beef casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold night. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and rich tomato sauce, this casserole is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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