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Pastitsio: Greek Baked Pasta with Ground Beef and Creamy Béchamel Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 129 reviews

Pastitsio is a traditional Greek baked pasta dish featuring layers of bucatini pasta, rich ground beef sauce infused with warm spices, and creamy béchamel sauce topped with a golden crust of cheese and breadcrumbs. Perfect for a hearty and comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Onion, chopped
  • 1 Medium carrot, grated
  • 500 g Ground beef (1.1 lb)
  • 350 ml White wine (1½ cups)
  • 100 ml Grated or crushed tomatoes (1/3 cup)
  • 2 Beef stock cubes
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
  • 6 Allspice berries
  • 6 Cloves
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • ½ tsp Black pepper
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp Cold water

Pasta

  • Bucatini (quantity as per package instructions, enough for layering)

Béchamel Sauce

  • 150 g Butter (5.3 oz)
  • 150 g All-purpose flour (5.3 oz)
  • 1.5 liters Whole milk (6 1/3 cups)
  • Salt & pepper (to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 150 g Gouda cheese, grated (5.3 oz)
  • 3 Egg yolks (medium eggs)

Topping

  • 1 handful Grated cheese for topping
  • 3 tbsp Breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat a medium pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion until soft, then add the grated carrot and cook briefly until softened.
  2. Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until it is browned evenly, breaking up any lumps.
  3. Add Liquids and Spices: Pour in the white wine and add grated or crushed tomatoes, beef stock cubes, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce (optional), cinnamon stick, cinnamon powder, allspice berries, cloves, sugar, black pepper, and salt to taste. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  4. Simmer Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour, allowing flavors to meld and liquid to reduce.
  5. Thicken Sauce: Mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry and stir it into the sauce. Cook until the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat.
  6. Cook Pasta: Prepare bucatini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  7. Make Béchamel Sauce: In a separate pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes to form a roux without browning.
  8. Add Milk: Gradually add whole milk in small amounts while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
  9. Season Béchamel: Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, ground nutmeg, and grated Gouda cheese until melted and smooth.
  10. Incorporate Egg Yolks: Whisk in the egg yolks thoroughly, then set the béchamel sauce aside.
  11. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  12. Combine Pasta and Meat Sauce: Return the drained pasta to its pot and add the meat sauce, one-third of the béchamel sauce, and some grated cheese. Stir well to combine.
  13. Assemble Pastitsio: Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Add the pasta and meat sauce mixture evenly on top.
  14. Add Final Béchamel Layer: Pour the remaining béchamel sauce over the pasta layer, smoothing to cover completely.
  15. Add Toppings: Sprinkle additional grated cheese and breadcrumbs evenly on top to create a crispy, golden crust.
  16. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
  17. Rest and Serve: Allow the pastitsio to rest for several minutes after baking to set and make slicing easier. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

  • Use bucatini or similar tubular pasta for best results.
  • Simmering the meat sauce slowly enhances the rich flavors and tenderizes the beef.
  • The béchamel sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Letting the baked pastitsio rest before slicing helps it hold together when serving.
  • Breadcrumbs on top create a delightful crispy crust but can be omitted for a softer topping.
  • For a richer flavor, use full-fat cheese and whole milk.

Keywords: Pastitsio, Greek lasagna, baked pasta, ground beef, béchamel sauce, comfort food

Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/pastitsio-greek-baked-pasta-with-ground-beef-and-creamy-bechamel-recipe/