Pastitsio, a culinary masterpiece from the heart of Greece, is a delightful baked dish that combines layers of savory minced meat, silky béchamel sauce, and tender pasta, all enveloped in a golden crust. It's a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article provides a comprehensive guide to creating the perfect pastitsio, with three variations to suit your preferences. From a traditional recipe that stays true to its Greek roots to a vegetarian version that embraces plant-based goodness, and a unique pastitsio roll that adds a fun twist to the classic, you'll find a recipe that caters to your culinary desires.
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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 [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.
MEAT AND MACARONI PIE - PASTITSIO
Make and share this Meat and Macaroni Pie - Pastitsio recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Rita1652
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 50m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Toss pasta with 1 tablespoon oil and garlic powder.
- In a large frying pan, sauté the onion and garlic in a 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the meat and brown.
- Add the tomatoes ,tomato sauce, salt, pepper, oregano and parsley. Simmer until cooked through and the mixture has the consistency of a sauce.
- Using a greased oven proof dish, layer the cooked spaghetti and the meat mixture in the dish.
- Heat the butter, flour in microwave oven to make a paste about 30 seconds.
- Whisk eggs into milk. Add to roux and whisk to mix together. Micro 2 minutes. Whisk and micro 2 more minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in grated cheddar cheese. Pour over the casserole. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake for 45 minutes at 350°F.
GREEK PASTITSIO
Pastitsio is one of my favorite dishes, perhaps because I am half Greek! I sometimes prepare it in disposable foil pans to give away as a food gift. Cinnamon and nutmeg are traditionally used in authentic Greek pastitsio, but can be omitted if desired.
Provided by truebrit
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Cook macaroni; drain, and return to pan.
- Stir in the melted butter, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup milk, and the egg; set aside.
- In a a skillet or large saucepan, cook ground beef and onion until meat loses its pinkness and onion is soft; drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomato sauce, the 1 teaspoon salt, mint flakes (if used), cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper; set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter, then mix in flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Slowly stir in the 2 cups milk, stirring well after each addition so that no lumps form.
- Cook and stir on medium high until cream sauce starts to thicken; stir for one minute more, then remove from heat.
- Beat egg in a small bowl, then pour into cream sauce, stirring briskly.
- Blend in the 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Layer half the pasta mixture in a 11" x 7" (or 2 quart) baking dish.
- Spoon the meat mixture evenly on top, then the remaining pasta.
- Pour cream sauce over top, to cover completely.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350F for about 40 minutes, or until hot and lightly browned.
- Let stand for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 587.5, Fat 33.7, SaturatedFat 17.7, Cholesterol 172.1, Sodium 1095.1, Carbohydrate 40.6, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 3.4, Protein 29.8
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
This has such a blend of wonderful spices and is so creamy. My friend gave me this recipe such a long time ago and I make it over and over again. Everyone loves it. I change the pasta's sometimes but it always turns out delicious. It can be frozen as well after cooking and turns out great.
Provided by FrenchBunny
Categories < 4 Hours
Time 1h40m
Yield 6-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- For Meat Layer.
- Saute onions in butter till soft.
- Add meat breaking up with spoon & cook till no pink remains.
- Drain off fat in a strainer & return meat in pan.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer uncovered 15 minutes.
- For Cream Sauce.
- Melt butter in large pot.
- Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Lower heat and add cream and stock till smooth.
- Cook stirring constantly till sauce is thick & bubbly.
- Stir in cheese,salt and pepper and stir till cheese is melted & blended into sauce.
- Remove from heat, cover and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to directions on box.
- Beat eggs, 1/2 Cup cheese and Soft butter.
- Add to pasta, blending well.
- Assembly:.
- Spoon 1/2 of pasta into buttered 13X9X2 dish.
- Pour 1 Cup Sauce over pasta.
- Spoon on all of the meat mixture.
- Pour another 1 Cup sauce over meat.
- Add other 1/2 of pasta.
- Pour rest of sauce.
- Sprinkle 1/4 C cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered 350 F for 35 minutes.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and ground lamb.
- Use a good quality pasta sauce that has a rich flavor.
- If you don't have any béchamel sauce, you can use a white sauce made with butter, flour, and milk.
- To make the pastitsio ahead of time, cook it according to the recipe and then let it cool completely. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When you're ready to serve, reheat it in a 350°F oven until it is warmed through.
- Pastitsio can also be frozen. To freeze, cook it according to the recipe and then let it cool completely. Cover it with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it in a 350°F oven until it is warmed through.
Conclusion:
Pastitsio is a delicious and hearty Greek dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With its combination of pasta, meat, and cheese, pastitsio is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table.
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