Best 13 Greek Lasagna Recipes

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**Savor the delectable flavors of Greek lasagna, a unique twist on the classic Italian dish. This recipe combines the best of both worlds, featuring layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel sauce, all topped with a golden crust of melted cheese. But that's not all - this article presents a collection of Greek lasagna recipes that cater to different preferences and dietary needs. From the traditional meat-based version to vegetarian and vegan alternatives, there's a Greek lasagna recipe for every taste. Explore the rich flavors of Greece and Italy in this culinary masterpiece.**

Here are our top 13 tried and tested 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).

GREEK LASAGNA



Greek Lasagna image

Ground beef, feta cheese, and tomatoes are blended with macaroni, then baked in a rich white sauce. This is a wonderful change from traditional Italian lasagna.

Provided by SHAWNEE1492

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 1h30m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 pounds uncooked elbow macaroni
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (4 ounce) package feta cheese
2 (8 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups milk
3 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ cup butter

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni noodles, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat until beef is evenly browned. Remove from heat, and drain grease. Stir in the tomatoes, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cinnamon. Mix in pasta, and transfer to a large baking dish.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, mix together the milk and cornstarch until no lumps remain. Add butter, and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat, and pour the sauce over the mixture in the baking dish.
  • Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, until the top is golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 601.5 calories, Carbohydrate 65 g, Cholesterol 90.7 mg, Fat 22.8 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 31.8 g, SaturatedFat 12.1 g, Sodium 567.8 mg, Sugar 7.3 g

FAST & EASY SPINACH/GREEK YOGURT LOW-FAT LASAGNA



Fast & Easy Spinach/Greek Yogurt Low-Fat Lasagna image

This lasagna is simply delicious, low-fat, and easy to make. I use whatever pasta sauce and cheeses are on hand to make this crowd-pleaser. I hope your family enjoys this as much as we do! (No one has any idea that the "ricotta" is actually low-fat greek yogurt+veggie broth... mwahahaha!)

Provided by Heather M.

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 55m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

15 -20 oven-ready lasagna noodles
1 (650 ml) jar prepared pasta sauce
2 cups vegetable broth, heated
1 1/2 cups low-fat Greek yogurt
1 1/2-2 cups low-fat cheese, grated
2 -4 large handfulls fresh spinach (5-10 ounces)
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400°F.
  • In medium saucepan heat up vegetable broth.
  • Add Greek yogurt and half the cheese to the hot broth.
  • Add spinach gradually to the yogurt/broth mixture. Set aside.
  • Drizzle olive oil on the bottom of a 13X9 inch baking dish. Spread a small amount of pasta sauce on bottom of dish.
  • Add a layer of noodles.
  • Spread sauce on top of noodles.
  • Add a layer of 1/3 of the spinach/yogurt/cheese broth.
  • Sprinkle with 1/3 of remaining cheese.
  • Repeat previous 3 directions twice more.
  • Bake for 30 minutes covered, then 10-15 minutes uncovered.
  • Let stand at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 430.2, Fat 9.6, SaturatedFat 3.4, Cholesterol 13, Sodium 731.7, Carbohydrate 63.8, Fiber 4.9, Sugar 16.5, Protein 20.8

GREEK LAZY LASAGNA



Greek Lazy Lasagna image

Pasta, feta cheese, spinach and olives all mixed together and baked.

Provided by Lisa

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked mafalda pasta (mini lasagne noodles)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
1 (10 ounce) bag chopped fresh spinach
1 (8 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the malfada pasta, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through but is still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain well, and return pasta to the pot.
  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Combine olive oil, onion, and garlic in a large skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the sliced chicken; cook, stirring, until chicken is lightly browned and no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes. Mix in the spinach, black olives, and lemon juice. Cook until heated through, an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Stir the chicken mixture into the pasta, add the feta cheese, and mix well. Spoon into the prepared baking dish, and cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the pasta is hot and the cheese is melted, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489.4 calories, Carbohydrate 47.5 g, Cholesterol 80.8 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 27.6 g, SaturatedFat 10.7 g, Sodium 1009 mg, Sugar 4.9 g

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

GREEK LAMB AND FETA LASAGNA



Greek Lamb and Feta Lasagna image

From Cooking Light Magazine. This recipe mixes lamb with beef so the lamb flavor won't overpower the dish. If assembling ahead, sprinkle with feta cheese just before baking.

Provided by DailyInspiration

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h35m

Yield 9 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups onions, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
9 ounces lean ground lamb
9 ounces extra lean ground beef
1 1/4 cups unsalted chicken stock
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 1/4 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon lemon rind, grated
9 no-boil lasagna noodles
cooking spray
3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 3/4 cup)
3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and next 4 ingredients (through beef); cook 14 minutes or until lamb and beef are browned, stirring to crumble. Add stock to pan; cook 3 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.
  • Combine ricotta and rind in a small bowl. Spread 1 tablespoons ricotta mixture over one side of each lasagna noodle.
  • Spread 2 cups tomato mixture in bottom of an 11 x 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles, ricotta side up, over tomato mixture; top with 2 cups tomato mixture. Repeat layers twice, ending with 2 cups tomato mixture. Sprinkle evenly with feta cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil; let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

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.

GREEK LASAGNA



Greek Lasagna image

I found this recipe (curled up in a drawer lol) Always meant to try it, am now posting for the 2005 Zaar World Tour/Greece!! Times are estimated.

Provided by katie in the UP

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h25m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

9 pieces lasagne pasta, uncooked
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb eggplant, peeled and finely diced
3 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Cook lasagne according to package directions; drain.
  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Warm oil in a large saucepan over low heat.
  • Add onion, garlic and eggplant. Cover and let vegetables cook until very soft, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir together the Ricotta, Feta and yogurt.
  • When vegetables are done, stir in tomato sauce. Remove from heat and set aside 1 cup of eggplant mixture.
  • In a 9 × 13 × 2-inch baking dish, spread a little of the eggplant mixture over the bottom and cover with 3 pieces of lasagne. Spoon some of the Ricotta over the lasagne. Continue to layer with eggplant mixture, lasagne, and Ricotta. Place a layer of lasagne on top. Spread the reserved eggplant over lasagne and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, until cheese is brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 188.6, Fat 9.9, SaturatedFat 5.6, Cholesterol 32.9, Sodium 617.2, Carbohydrate 13.7, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 6.3, Protein 12.5

VEGETARIAN GREEK LASAGNA



VEGETARIAN GREEK LASAGNA image

Categories     Cheese     Pasta     Bake     Vegetarian

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 2

1# whole wheat lasagna/1 sm. onion & 2 cloves of garlic/1 jar pasta sauce/3/4# feta cheese & 1oz.pkg.oregano & 9oz.pkg. spinach/1# tofu &1oz.pkg.basil/6oz.can blk.olives(pitted)/12+oz.Grk.olives(pitted) 1/2 c.parmesean cheese./add sprinkle of salt
as needed.

Steps:

  • boil 5 qt.s H2O & par boil sheets of lasagna. Strain & add cool H2O, let sit./In lg. pan,saute onion & add garlic & pasta sauce. blend: feta, oregano & cooked/strained spinach. blend:tofu & chopped basil. In a lg. rect.pan, coat with thin layer of (pasta)sauce, add layer of noodles to cover bottom,add layer of tofu spread/ add layer of sauce with sliced blk.olives, add layer of noodles, layer of spin.& feta spread/add lasagna noodles/layer of sauce. To the final layer, add the greek olives (with sauce). cook in a 350 oven for 35 min./covered then, uncovered 10 min. with 1/2c.parmesean cheese. serve with a green salad. (optional: and serve with hot "french" bread and a bottle of red wine.)

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!

PASTICCHIO (GREEK LASAGNA)



Pasticchio (Greek Lasagna) image

This is another comfort food dish from my childhood. Don't be put off by the cinnamon in this dish, this has a wonderful flavor, and a creamy texture.

Provided by Amanda Hyatt

Categories     Beef

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 16

6 oz elbow macaroni 1 1/2 cups
1/3 c grated parmesan cheese
1/4 c milk
1 large beaten egg
3/4 lb ground beef
1/2 c chopped onion
(1) 8 oz can tomato sauce
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 c milk
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 c parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • 1. cook macaroni according to package directions, drain. Stir in 1/3 parmesan, the 1/4 cup milk and 1 egg, set aside.
  • 2. In skillet cook ground beef and chopped onion until meat is slightly brown and onion is tender; drain off excess fat. Stir in tomato sauce, the 3/4 teaspoon salt, the cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper, set aside
  • 3. In a saucepan melt butter; blend in flour and the 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in the 1 1/2 cups milk; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for one minute more. Stir only half of the sauce into 1 beaten egg, return that back into the saucepan. Stir in the 1/4 parmesan cheese.
  • 4. Layer half of the macaroni mixture in a 8x8x2 inch baking pan. Spoon meat mixture atop, then remaining macaroni. Spread cream sauce over all. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 45-50 mins. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

PASTITSO AKA GREEK LASAGNA



Pastitso Aka Greek Lasagna image

This recipe is from my neighbor. She makes it every year for as part of their Greek Easter dinner. I think it is from Jeff Smith's Greek Cookbook. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! UPDATE: Feb. '14 This recipe is labor intensive. Have all your ingredients measured ahead of time. I think the original recipe has too much butter, resulting is a oily dish. I have revised the recipe decrease the butter amounts. Baking time is based on assembly and baking it immediately, while all ingredients are hot. I loosely covered with foil for half the baking time, then uncovered to brown up the top a bit, although beware, it may not brown much.

Provided by Chicagoland Chef du

Categories     Meat

Time 1h30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 24

6 tablespoons butter, DIVIDED, I think 4 T would be more than enough
3/4 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 1/4 lbs lean ground beef, I used 1 #
1 (16 ounce) tomatoes, canned, peeled, mashed, do not drain
1/2 cup tomato sauce, canned
1/2 cup water, I omit
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 lb greek macaroni, # 2 long tubes, can use mini penne pasta
4 tablespoons butter, melted, 2 Tablespoon should be plenty
6 eggs, beaten
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
6 tablespoons butter, I use 4 T
6 tablespoons flour, I use 4 T
2 cups warm milk, I ended up using at least 3 cups
3 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash white pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a large skillet: melt 2 T butter, add onion and garlic and saute' until golden.
  • Add remaining butter and the crumbled ground beef. Cook until no longer pink.
  • Add remaining ingredients to the meat mixture and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Mixture should be thick; set aside.
  • MAKE THE WHITE SAUCE:.
  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook for a 60 seconds.
  • Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly, cook until thick and smooth. Add remaining ingredients to the sauce. Continue to stir and cook over low heat until all is thickened. Add more milk if too thick.
  • In a separate bowl, beat eggs and add 1/2 cup of the sauce to the eggs to temper them.
  • Whisk the egg mixture into the saucepan until well blended.
  • In the mean time, BOIL PASTA.
  • In a large stock pot, add salt to boiling water;.
  • Add macaroni, stir gently and cook uncovered until tender, per package suggestions.
  • Drain and rinse under cool water.
  • Drain well and place in a large bowl, add 1/4 C melted butter, nutmeg, sherry if using, beaten eggs and grated cheese.
  • Put half of the noodle mixture into a greased 9x9x2 baking pan (I used 7x12 glass casserole) a arranging the long noodles the length of the pan in straight rows.
  • Top with all of the meat mixture.
  • Cover the meat with the remaining half of the noodles.
  • Pour the white sauce over the macaroni and bake for 25 minutes or until the top is delicately browned. Bake longer if necessary to heat through.
  • NOTE: If you prep this ahead, and do not bake immediately, add more baking time. If refrigerated: bring to room temperature for 1 hour, bake for 30- 45 minutes.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients will give your lasagna the best flavor. If you can, use fresh herbs, vegetables, and cheese.
  • Make your own lasagna noodles: Making your own lasagna noodles is not difficult, and it will give your lasagna a more authentic flavor. You can find recipes for lasagna noodles online or in cookbooks.
  • Don't overcook the noodles: Lasagna noodles should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. If you overcook them, they will become mushy.
  • Use a variety of cheeses: Lasagna is a great dish to use up leftover cheese. You can use a combination of mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, and Asiago cheese.
  • Layer the lasagna properly: When you are layering the lasagna, be sure to start with a layer of sauce, then a layer of noodles, then a layer of cheese, and so on. Repeat this process until you have used all of the ingredients.
  • Bake the lasagna until it is bubbly and golden brown: Lasagna should be baked until it is bubbly and golden brown. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
  • Let the lasagna rest before serving: Once the lasagna is baked, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Greek lasagna is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With its layers of pasta, meat, cheese, and sauce, it is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a new lasagna recipe, give this Greek lasagna a try. You won't be disappointed!

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