Pastitsio is a classic Greek dish that is both hearty and flavorful. It is made with layers of pasta, ground meat, and a creamy béchamel sauce. The pasta is typically macaroni, but you can also use other types of pasta, such as penne or spaghetti. The ground meat is usually beef or lamb, but you can also use pork or chicken. The béchamel sauce is made with milk, butter, flour, and seasonings. Pastitsio is often served with a side of salad or vegetables.
This article includes three different recipes for pastitsio. The first recipe is for a traditional pastitsio made with macaroni, ground beef, and a creamy béchamel sauce. The second recipe is for a vegetarian pastitsio made with lentils, vegetables, and a vegan béchamel sauce. The third recipe is for a pastitsio casserole made with pasta, ground beef, and a tomato sauce.
All three recipes are easy to follow and can be made in under two hours. They are perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. No matter which recipe you choose, you are sure to enjoy this delicious and satisfying dish.
PASTITSIO
Pastitsio is a layered Greek casserole of macaroni and seasoned ground lamb, topped with a thick cream sauce. This version substitutes beef in place of the lamb to suit American tastes.
Provided by Ben S.
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 6h10m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the ground beef, and cook until crumbly and no longer pink. Pour in the water and tomato paste. Season with salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon; cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, adjust salt to taste, then refrigerate until cold. Once cold, remove any congealed fat, and thoroughly mix with 2 beaten eggs, and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, and rinse under cold water to cool. Mix the macaroni in 2 beaten eggs until well coated.
- Evenly spread half of the macaroni mixture into a 11x14x2 inch baking pan, sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the grated parmesan cheese, and drizzle with 1/2 cup of melted butter. Spread the meat mixture overtop, then finish with the remaining macaroni. Sprinkle the macaroni with another 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and drizzle with 1/2 cup of melted butter.
- Whisk together 4 beaten eggs with the half-and-half, 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, flour, and salt; whisk until well blended. Pour the cream mixture evenly over top of the pastitsio, and sprinkle with nutmeg.
- Cover the pan with foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake until the top has turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 429.9 calories, Carbohydrate 27.8 g, Cholesterol 179.8 mg, Fat 23 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 11.4 g, Sodium 689.7 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
PASTITSIO
Guests always seem to gobble up this authentic Greek beef and pasta casserole. The creamy white sauce is delicious. -Amanda Briggs, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, oregano, pepper and, if desired, cinnamon; heat through., Drain macaroni; place half of macaroni in a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Layer with meat mixture and remaining macaroni. Set aside., Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour and remaining salt until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened., 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 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in remaining cheese. Pour sauce over macaroni., Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 614 calories, Fat 26g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 147mg cholesterol, Sodium 1206mg sodium, Carbohydrate 57g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 38g protein.
PASTITSIO [GREEK MACARONI PIE]
I found this several years ago in the newspaper. I tried it and it is wonderful. The ingredients meet and melt together and combine flavors that makes it top notch in my book. I hope you like it as much as my family does.
Provided by Zelda Hopkins
Categories Savory Pies
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- 1. Saute onion in butter or olive oil in large heavy pan or skillet until soft. Stir in beef and cook until lightly brown.Season with salt, pepper, cinnamon, and oregano. Stir in tomato puree and parsley. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Cook macaroni in large kettle of well salted boiling water until tender but still slightly firm. Drain, then rinse in lukewarm water. Mix cooking oil well through macaroni to prevent it from sticking together.
- 2. CREAMY TOPPING----Melt butter and blend in flour. Stir in milk and cook about 5 minutes, stirring constantly to make a thin white sauce. Dip out 1 cup of hot sauce and pour thin stream into yolks, stirring constantly until well- blended. Pour mixture back into rest of sauce and stir for a few minutes over low heat. Do not allow to boil. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- 3. In greased 9x13 pyrex casserole, put a thin layer of macaroni, a layer of meat sauce, a second layer of macaroni, and a second layer of meat sauce. Pour creamy topping over all. Jiggle the dish so that some sauce runs through all layers. Sprinkle Parmesan over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 15-20 minutes. Cut into large squares and serve from pan.
PASTITSIO PIE
Creamy Pastitsio. This recipe was pictured on the cover of a magazine in a cook off. It did win 1st prize and has been that in our house ever since.
Provided by Dotty2
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h25m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Cook macaroni until tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water,drain again and add 1/3 parmesan cheese and set aside.in skillet melt 1-1/2 tsp of the butter over med. heat,cook onion and garlic,stirring for 3 minutes.
- Stir in beef,oregano,cinnamon,salt and pepper;cook stirring for 7-10 minutes or until no longer pink.Drain off fat.
- Stir in tomatoes,tomatoe paste and vinigar.Cook stirring for 3 minutes.Remove from heat,stir in parsley. Set aside.
- SAUCE: in saucepan,melt butter over med heat. Whisk in flour,cook whisking for 2 minutes without browning.Pour in milk,cook,whisking for about 5 minutes or until thickened.Remove from heat stir in cottage cheese,egg,nutmeg,salt and pepper.
- Grease 10" pie plate with remaining 1-1/2 tsp butter. sprinkle with bread crumbs. Spoon in half of the macaroni,spread meat mixture evenly over top.
- Sprinkle with one third of the parmesan. Spoon remaining macaroni over top. Carefully pour sauce over macaroni.
- (NOTE: can be prepared to this point,covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes and add 10 minutes to baking time). Sprinkle with remaining parmesan. Bake on baking sheet(or pan)at 350F for 50 to 60 monutes or until top is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 644.4, Fat 32.5, SaturatedFat 15.6, Cholesterol 153.2, Sodium 1186.1, Carbohydrate 46.3, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 8.8, Protein 41.8
MACARONI PIE
This wonderful pie is a variation of macaroni and cheese.
Provided by TARASMOMMEE
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- Beat eggs and milk together. Pour half of the cooked macaroni into 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover macaroni with half of the cheese. Pour remaining macaroni into baking dish leaving a little room at the top. Cover with remaining cheese. Pour egg mixture over macaroni. Sprinkle with salt.
- Bake in a preheated over for an hour or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 742.7 calories, Carbohydrate 91.6 g, Cholesterol 136.4 mg, Fat 25 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 35.7 g, SaturatedFat 14.1 g, Sodium 490.1 mg, Sugar 6.3 g
Tips:
- Use a variety of cheeses. This will give your pastitsio a more complex and flavorful taste. Try using a combination of hard cheese, such as Parmesan or cheddar, and a soft cheese, such as mozzarella or ricotta.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta will hold its shape better in the pastitsio and will be more pleasant to eat.
- Use a deep baking dish. This will ensure that the pastitsio cooks evenly.
- Let the pastitsio cool slightly before serving. This will help it hold its shape when you cut it.
Conclusion:
Pastitsio is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With its layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese, it is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a new recipe to try, give pastitsio a try. You won't be disappointed.
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