Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta)

Name: Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta)
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 lb ziti or penne pasta; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20); 2 cans canned crushed tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1/2 cup dry red wine (or beef broth); 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground allspice; 1 tsp dried oregano; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 6 tbsp unsalted butter; 6 tbsp all-purpose flour; 4 cups whole milk, warmed; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 4 large eggs, beaten; 1 cup grated kefalotyri or Pecorino Romano cheese, grated

A showstopping Greek casserole with layers of tubular pasta, spiced ground beef in tomato sauce, and a thick, golden bechamel crust. Rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying - Greece's answer to lasagna.

105 minHardServes 8540 cal/serving

GreekDinnerOven and StovetopStandardHigh ProteinLow CarbLow-SodiumCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1 lb ziti or penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
2 cans canned crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup dry red wine (or beef broth)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
6 tbsp unsalted butter
6 tbsp all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk, warmed
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
4 large eggs, beaten
1 cup grated kefalotyri or Pecorino Romano cheese, grated

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 1 lb ziti or penne pasta in heavily salted boiling water until 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
2

In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 finely diced yellow onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute more.
3

Add 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20) and cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
4

Stir in 1/2 cup dry red wine (or beef broth) and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add 2 cans canned crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp dried oregano, half the kosher salt, and half the black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
5

Make the bechamel: In a medium saucepan, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 6 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the 4 cups warmed whole milk, whisking constantly, until smooth. Cook until thickened, about 8 minutes.
6

Remove bechamel from heat. Stir in 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg and remaining kosher salt and black pepper. Let cool for 5 minutes, then whisk in 4 beaten large eggs and half the grated kefalotyri or Pecorino Romano cheese.
7

Spread half the cooked ziti or penne pasta evenly in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the meat sauce over the pasta in an even layer. Top with the remaining ziti or penne pasta. Pour the bechamel evenly over the top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup grated grated kefalotyri or Pecorino Romano cheese.
8

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown and set. Let rest for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

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Questions

What oven temperature does Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) need?

For Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta), the oven is set to 375 F (about 190 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 45 minutes, in step 8.

How do I know when Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 4: cook until reduced by half. Step 8: cook until the top is golden brown and set.

How do I know the sauce has reduced enough in Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta)?

Step 4 reads: "Stir in 1/2 cup dry red wine (or beef broth) and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes." Go by step 4, and note that a wider pan gets there faster. The usual test is that the sauce coats the back of a spoon and a finger drawn through it leaves a clean line.

What can I use instead of Pecorino Romano in Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta)?

The entry for Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) calls for 1 cup grated kefalotyri or Pecorino Romano cheese, grated. In its place: Parmesan, measure for measure. It is a little less salty and sharp, so taste for salt.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta)?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) uses 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20).

Is Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) keto-friendly?

A serving of Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) carries 14 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of it fiber. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 70 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 14 percent.

Does Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) contain eggs?

Yes: 4 large eggs, beaten. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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