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Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta)

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

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 8

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

Questions

Can I make Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 6 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 cups whole milk, warmed, 1 cup grated kefalotyri or Pecorino Romano cheese, grated. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 lb ziti or penne pasta, 6 tbsp all-purpose flour. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time; the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta) keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Pastitsio (Greek Baked Pasta)?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

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