Today, we are talking comfort food, Greek style. I’m sharing my mom’s version of Greek pastitsio, a delectable, flavor-packed baked pasta. Serves a crowd, and they won’t even know that it’s lightened up!

If I were to ask you about a dish that might have defined the holidays for you as a child, what would it be? For me, it’s Greek pastitsio, but in our Egyptian household, it was more known by its literal translation: macaroni béchamel.

If you need a reference point, think of pastitsio as a baked pasta casserole or Greek lasagna.

Incidentally, pastitsio translates to “hodgepodge.” No problem here! Aren’t the best of homemade casseroles basically a glorious hodgepodge?!

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This is a lightened up Greek pastitsio of three layers: pasta; lean meat sauce; and a topping of creamy smooth béchamel made with quality extra virgin olive oil and only 2% milk.

Each layer infused with just enough flavor.

Pasta tossed with olive oil and a little Parmesan cheese. A tomato meat sauce with red wine, aromatics, and warm spices like cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Finally, a lighter béchamel sauce with just a pinch of nutmeg for good measure. Some add more cheese to the béchamel, but I don’t find the need to.

In my book, this Greek pastitsio is up there with Moussaka as the stuff of gods!

A guilty pleasure that is worthy of the holiday table or your next special dinner. Love adding Greek salad or balela (recipe coming) next to it!

Greek Pastitsio Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

Author: The Mediterranean Dish
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 12

Print Recipe

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups uncooked Penne pasta
Salt
Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp grated Parmesan

For Meat Sauce

3 tbsp Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
Salt
1/2 cup red wine such as merlot
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
3/4 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
pinch sugar

For Bechamel

1/3 cup + 2 tbsp Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt, more if you like
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
4 cups 2% milk, warmed
2 large eggs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook the pasta to al dante according to package instructions. Be sure to add salt and olive oil to the boiling water. Drain and transfer pasta to 9 1/2″ x 13″ baking pan like this one. While still hot, drizzle pasta with a little more extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle grated Parmesan. Toss to combine. Set aside for now.
Make the meat sauce. In a large pan or skillet like this one, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Saute onions until just golden, then add lean beef and garlic. Season with salt. Cook until meat is fully browned, tossing regularly and breaking up the meat with your wooden spoon (about 8 to 10 minutes). Carefully drain any excess liquid and return pan to heat. Add wine, crushed tomato, bay leaves, spices and pinch of sugar. Mix to combine. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then lower heat and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or so. Taste and adjust salt to your liking.
While the meat sauce is cooking, prepare the bechamel. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook until golden (if needed, added a little more olive oil). Gradually add the warmed milk, whisking continuously. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and thick. Add nutmeg.
In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot bechamel mixture with the 2 eggs in a small bowl. Then return all to the pan with the remaining bechamel mixture. Continue to stir or whisk the mixture bringing to a gentle boil for just 2 more minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Remove from heat and allow to cool and thicken a little more (you should have a creamy, thick and smooth bechamel sauce).
Assemble the pastitsio. Top the cooked pasta with the meat sauce; smooth with a wooden spoon to fully cover the pasta. Now top the meat sauce with the bechamel topping. Again, smooth with your wooden spoon to cover the meat sauce evenly.
Bake the pastitsio in 350 degrees F heated-oven for 1 hour until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into square pieces and serve.

Notes

This recipe makes a large amount for big gatherings or if you want leftovers. But you can simply cut the recipe in half for a smaller crowd (you’ll need to watch baking time).
Featured Ingredients: Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil (from organically grown and processed koroneiki olives); ground allspice; ground nutmeg.
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