pastitsio [greek macaroni pie]

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
Zelda Hopkins
Webb City, MO

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.

(2 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 25 Min
cook time 1 Hr 5 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For pastitsio [greek macaroni pie]

  • 1 lg
    onion, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp
    butter or olive oil
  • 1 1/2 lb
    ground beef
  • 1/4 tsp
    salt
  • 1/4 tsp
    cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp
    oregano, dried
  • 2 c
    tomato puree
  • 2 Tbsp
    minced parsley
  • 1/2 lb
    small elbow macaroni
  • 1 Tbsp
    cooking oil
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • CREAMY TOPPING
  • 3 Tbsp
    butter
  • 3 Tbsp
    flour
  • 3 1/2 c
    milk
  • 3 lg
    egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 tsp
    nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp
    salt
  • 1/4 tsp
    white pepper
  • 1/2 c
    parmesan cheese

How To Make pastitsio [greek macaroni pie]

  • 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.
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