How to Make Pastitsio (A Greek Dish)

Pastitsio - A Popular Greek Dish

Pastitsio is one of the most beloved of all traditional Greek dishes and a staple of Greek cuisine and cooking. Throughout Greece and at most Greek restaurants around the world, you often can find pastitsio as part of the meal or on the menu.

Things You'll Need

• 6 ounces or 1 1/2 cups bucatini pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, or ziti may be substituted)
• 2 eggs, beaten separately
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (adjust to taste)
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta noodles until just done, then drain. Add one beaten egg, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup milk. Mix and set aside.

2. Cook the ground beef and onion in a skillet until the meat is brown, then drain the fat. Add the tomato sauce (and optional diced tomatoes), cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

3. Melt the butter or margarine in a saucepan. Add in flour and salt. Add the rest of the milk slowly and cook and stir until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in a small amount of the hot mixture into one beaten egg, then return the mixture to the rest of the sauce in the pan. Add 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.

4. Put half the macaroni mixture into an 8-inch-square pan or casserole dish. Add the meat mixture layer, then add the rest of the macaroni mixture on top. Finally, add the béchamel sauce from the previous step. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 too 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave the cinnamon and nutmeg in to keep this dish authentically Greek!