Pastitsio Recipe

Experience the ultimate comfort food with my authentic Pastitsio recipe! This classic Greek baked pasta dish layers perfectly seasoned ground meat, creamy béchamel sauce, and tender pasta for a flavor explosion in every bite. A family favorite, this recipe is surprisingly easy to make and perfect for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 130 mins
Calories 664.9 kcal
Protein 47g
Rating 5.0 (2 Reviews)
Pastitsio 26

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Pastitsio

  • 1 pound dry pasta (bucatini or ziti recommended)
  • Not found in recipe (Parmigiano Reggiano used instead)
  • Not explicitly quantified as a standalone ingredient; implied if 2 whole eggs are used instead of yolks
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 90/10)
  • 1 large onion
  • 2-3 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • Not found in recipe
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste (for meat sauce); 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (for béchamel)
  • Not explicitly quantified as an ingredient in the dish (used for cooking pasta)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 cups whole milk
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (1/2 cup for topping, 1/4 cup for béchamel)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Not found in recipe
  • 2 large egg yolks (optional, for a richer béchamel sauce)
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Pastitsio? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Pastitsio

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, red wine, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and meat sauce. Stir in half of the Parmesan cheese.
  7. Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the pasta mixture.
  8. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
  9. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
  10. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.
  11. **Béchamel Sauce:**
  12. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  13. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  14. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of milk until smooth.
  15. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened.
  16. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

20 g

Sugar

12g

Fat

96g

Carbs

14g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes European Italian Mediterranean Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion Main Dish Beef Greek European Dinner Party Holiday Event Kid Friendly Dietary Inexpensive Ground Beef Meat 4 Hours Or Less