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pastitsio (greek lasagna)

(5 ratings)
KBPossible avatar
Recipe by
Kim Biegacki
@KBPossible
Youngstown, OH

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 is savory with a hint of sweetness that is divine and sure to please your palate. There are dozens of recipes for Pastitsio and this is one I got from a friend several years ago & have adjusted to our family's taste.

(5 ratings)
yield 8 to 10 servings
prep time 30 Min
cook time 45 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For pastitsio (greek lasagna)

  • 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 lg
    onion, finely chopped
  • 4 md
    garlic cloves, pressed or minced
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 2 tsp
    cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp
    freshly ground nutmeg
  • 2 tsp
    dried oregano
  • 1 can
    (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

How To Make pastitsio (greek lasagna)

  • 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.
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