Pastitsio is a traditional Greek dish that combines layers of pasta, seasoned ground meat, and a creamy béchamel sauce. This hearty and flavorful dish is a beloved comfort food in Greece and a staple at celebrations and gatherings.
The article presents two variations of pastitsio: a classic version and a skillet version. The classic pastitsio follows the traditional layered approach, where cooked pasta, meat filling, and béchamel sauce are assembled in a baking dish and baked until golden brown. The skillet pastitsio, on the other hand, is a one-pot version that simplifies the cooking process by combining all the elements in a single skillet. This version is perfect for busy weeknight meals or when you're short on time.
Both recipes provide detailed instructions and ingredient lists, ensuring that home cooks of all skill levels can successfully prepare this delicious dish. Additionally, the article includes tips for selecting the best ingredients and offers suggestions for customizing the pastitsio to suit personal preferences. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner looking to explore Greek cuisine, this article provides all the information and guidance you need to create a delightful pastitsio that will impress your family and friends.
NIKKI'S PERFECT PASTITSIO
My mother used to work so hard in the kitchen to make this classic Greek dish, and the results were always well worth her effort. My recipe for pastitsio is easier, a bit lighter and every bit as great as Mom's.-Nikki Tsangaris, Westfield, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h35m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Toss with butter; add grated Parmesan cheese. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef into crumbles; drain. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in tomato sauce, salt and cinnamon; heat through. Spoon over pasta. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese., In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Pour over beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese., Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes longer or until golden brown.,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 332 calories, Fat 18g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 98mg cholesterol, Sodium 718mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
PASTITSIO
Steps:
- For the sauce, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add the beef and lamb, and saute over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until it's no longer pink, crumbling it with the back of wooden spoon. Drain off any excess liquid, add the wine, and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the garlic, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, and cayenne, and continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- For the bechamel, heat the milk and cream together in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until simmering. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly for 2 minutes. Pour the warm milk and cream mixture into the butter and flour mixture, whisking constantly. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and thick. Add the nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Stir in 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of the tomato and meat sauce, and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Stir in the eggs and yogurt and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Don't over-cook because the pasta will later be baked. Drain and set aside.
- Add the pasta to the meat and tomato sauce, and pour the mixture into a baking dish. Spread the bechamel evenly to cover the pasta and sprinkle with the remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake for 1 hour, until golden brown and bubbly. Set aside for 10 minutes and serve hot.
EASY GREEK SKILLET PASTITSIO
asy Greek Skillet Pastitsio is a simplified version of our favorite Greek casserole. Aldente pasta shells are are tossed with a tomato and cinnamon-infused beef sauce, layered with an easy cheesy béchamel sauce, and baked until golden brown and bubbly. The recipe makes a generous amount, and the leftovers are even better the next day!
Provided by Nicole
Categories Beef/Lamb
Time 1h20m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season with salt. It should taste as salty as sea water.
- Heat a large oven-proof skillet to a medium heat. Add butter. Once butter melts, whisk in flour. Slowly whisk in milk and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Pour sauce into a medium bowl and add 1/4 cup cheese and egg and egg yolk. Whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside. Wipe pan clean.
- Add lean ground beef and onion to the same skillet. Season with a little bit of salt. Turn the heat on medium and cook until onions are soft and beef is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Make sure to break the meat up with a wooden spoon.
- Add tomato paste, cinnamon, sugar, water and 3/4 tsp. salt. Simmer for 8-10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- When the sauce has been simmering for about five minutes. Add the shells to the water. Cook until just under aldente. Drain into a colander. Add the pasta back to the large pot and add the meat sauce along with 3/4 cup of the reserved béchamel sauce. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add half of the pasta back to the oven-proof skillet. Pour half of the remaining béchamel sauce on top along with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Spread the rest of the pasta and beef over the béchamel and then cover with remaining béchamel.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Turn on the broiler until top is brown and the pasta noodles are starting to get crispy on the edges. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra grated cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 477 calories, Carbohydrate 30 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 168 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 24 grams fat, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 33 grams protein, SaturatedFat 12 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 909 grams sodium, Sugar 7 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams unsaturated fat
CLASSIC PASTITSIO
A perfect serving of this baked-pasta dish needs to have the right ratio of bechamel topping to lamb-and-pasta filling.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Lamb Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Make the sauce: In a large deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add lamb, salt, cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook, breaking lamb into pieces, until it is no longer pink. Add wine, and cook until liquid is almost evaporated. Stir in tomato paste, bay leaves, and 2 cups water. Cover, and let simmer 30 minutes, skimming the fat occasionally. Remove from heat, and set aside, covered.
- Make the bechamel: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. When butter is bubbling, add flour and baking powder. Cook, stirring constantly with a wire whisk, for 1 minute. While whisking, slowly pour in milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick. Remove pan from heat, and stir in Parmesan, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Set aside, covered, until ready to assemble.
- To assemble: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch glass or other ovenproof baking dish; set aside. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add pasta; cook until very al dente, 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a colander; drain well. Stir noodles into meat mixture. Pour meat-and-pasta mixture into prepared pan. Spread bechamel over the mixture, and bake until top is set and golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm.Note: Photograph by Maria Robledo
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
SKILLET PASTITSIO
Make and share this Skillet Pastitsio recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Boo Chef in West Te
Categories Greek
Time 35m
Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 475 degrees. Cook the lamb in a 12-inch ovensafe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, breaking apart the meat, until no longer pink and the fat has rendered, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a strainer set over a medium bowl and let drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of the fat.
- Add the reserved tablespoon fat to the skillet and return to medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cook, stirring often, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the broth, 1/2 cup of the cream, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then add the pasta and drained lamb. Increase the heat to high and cook at a vigorous simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is tender, 9 to 12 minutes.
- Whisk the remaining 1/2 cup cream and cornstarch together in a small bowl, then stir into the skillet and continue to simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Off the heat, stir in 1/2 cup of the Pecorino and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Pecorino over the top and bake until lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 863.7, Fat 54.6, SaturatedFat 28.2, Cholesterol 179, Sodium 381.9, Carbohydrate 56.6, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 3.7, Protein 37
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 II
Makes a lot and is just incredible. Everyone loves this dish and it is worth the effort.
Provided by ALKHATIB
Categories 100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes
Time 2h25m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Melt butter until golden brown and pour over ziti, add Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Cool briefly. Add eggs and toss again; set aside.
- To make meat sauce: Gently fry onion and garlic in butter in a skillet until onion is soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase heat and add ground beef; stir well. Cook until meat begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, wine, broth, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
- To make cream sauce: Melt butter in saucepan, stir in flour and cook gently for 2 minutes. Pour in milk all at once and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil gently for 1 minute. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cool slightly before stirring in beaten egg. Transfer 1/2 cup of this sauce to the meat sauce.
- To assemble pastitsio: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon half of the prepared ziti evenly in the bottom and top with meat sauce. Top with remaining ziti. Pour on cream sauce and spread to completely cover ziti. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 50 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 575.8 calories, Carbohydrate 45.9 g, Cholesterol 167.7 mg, Fat 31 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 25.7 g, SaturatedFat 16.3 g, Sodium 432.3 mg, Sugar 6.6 g
PEASANT SKILLET
I prepare this supper frequently throughout the year, substituting whatever vegetables are in season. No matter how often I make it, I'm always asked for the recipe. -Lisbeth Whitehead, Watertown, South Dakota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Add next five ingredients to drippings. Reduce heat to medium; cook, covered, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender, 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cut sausage diagonally into 1/2-in. slices; place on top of vegetables. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Crumble bacon; sprinkle on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 382 calories, Fat 25g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 52mg cholesterol, Sodium 707mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 12g protein.
Tips:
- Use a large skillet to ensure that the pastitsio cooks evenly and doesn't become too dry.
- Make sure the ground beef is cooked through before adding the other ingredients.
- Use a variety of spices to give the pastitsio a flavorful taste.
- Don't overcook the pasta, as it will become mushy.
- Be sure to let the pastitsio cool slightly before serving, as it will be very hot when it first comes out of the oven.
- Pastitsio can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as a salad, roasted vegetables, or bread.
Conclusion:
Pastitsio is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a family meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. Whether you like it with a lot of cheese or a lot of sauce, pastitsio is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give pastitsio a try. You won't be disappointed!
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