Classic Greek Pastitsio

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Classic Greek Pastitsio.

1. Step 1

   To start your delicious Pastitsio, gather all your ingredients and preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C).

2. Step 2

   Grab a 9x13-inch casserole dish and give it a light greasing to ensure your masterpiece comes out easily later.

3. Step 3

   In a skillet over medium heat, melt some butter and add in the chopped onion and crushed garlic.

4. Step 4

   Sauté them together until the onion becomes soft and fragrant, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Step 5

   Now, turn up the heat a bit and add the ground beef, cooking it until it’s beautifully browned and crumbly—this should take around 5 minutes.

6. Step 6

   Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes, a splash of red wine, beef broth, tomato paste, chopped parsley, and a hint of ground cinnamon (or toss in a cinnamon stick for extra flavor).

7. Step 7

   Season with salt and pepper, cover the skillet, and let it simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, allowing those flavors to meld together.

8. Step 8

   While your meat sauce is bubbling away, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

9. Step 9

   Add the pasta and cook it until it’s tender yet still has a delightful bite, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes.

10. Step 10

    Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

11. Step 11

    In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with melted butter, 1/4 cup of grated cheese, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

12. Step 12

    Toss everything together until well mixed, then let it cool for a moment.

13. Step 13

    Once it’s slightly cooled, add in 2 beaten eggs and give it another good toss; set this mixture aside for now.

14. Step 14

    Now, let’s whip up a creamy béchamel sauce.

15. Step 15

    In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt some butter and add flour, stirring for about 2 minutes.

16. Step 16

    Gradually pour in milk, bringing it to a gentle boil while stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

17. Step 17

    Season this silky sauce with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

18. Step 18

    Once it’s slightly cooled, stir in 1 cup of grated cheese, a beaten egg, and an egg yolk.

19. Step 19

    To enhance the meat sauce, mix in 1/2 cup of the béchamel sauce.

20. Step 20

    It’s time to assemble your Pastitsio! Start by layering the pasta evenly in the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

21. Step 21

    Spoon the savory meat sauce over the pasta, then spread the remaining béchamel sauce on top, creating a creamy layer.

22. Step 22

    To finish, sprinkle the last 1/2 cup of grated cheese over the béchamel, adding a golden touch.

23. Step 23

    Pop your dish into the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and beautifully golden brown.

24. Step 24

    Once it’s out of the oven, let it stand for about 10 minutes before cutting it into squares.

25. Step 25

    This will help the layers set perfectly.

26. Step 26

    Enjoy your homemade Pastitsio, a comforting dish that’s sure to impress family and friends!.