Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's Recipe

Craving authentic Greek Pastitsio? This recipe recreates the irresistible pastitsio my sister makes in Greece! Inspired by her masterful (and secret!) technique, I've perfected a version that captures the incredible flavors and textures of this classic Greek baked pasta dish. Get ready for layers of perfectly spiced meat sauce, tender pasta, creamy béchamel, and a golden-brown cheesy topping. It's a taste of Greece in your own kitchen! This recipe is adapted from *Easy Greek-Style Cookery* to closely match my sister's delicious creation.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 105 mins

Calories 901.9 kcal

Protein 95g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's

Penne
Eggs
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Olive Oil
Onions
1 lb ground beef
Tomato Puree
6 oz can tomato paste
Beef Stock
Dry White Wine
Ground Cinnamon
Egg
4 tbsp butter
All Purpose Flour
3 cups milk
Egg Yolks
Dry Breadcrumbs

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How to Make Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the meat sauce: In a large pan, brown the ground beef (1 lb) over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat.
Add the onion (1 medium, chopped), garlic (2 cloves, minced), and oregano (1 tsp) to the pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes (28 oz can), tomato paste (6 oz can), cinnamon (1/2 tsp), and bay leaf (1). Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the pasta: Cook the bucatini pasta (1 lb) according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the béchamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter (4 tbsp) over medium heat. Whisk in the flour (4 tbsp) and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in the milk (3 cups) until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese (1 cup, grated), nutmeg (1/4 tsp), and salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the pastitsio: In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half of the meat sauce.
Layer half of the cooked bucatini pasta over the meat sauce.
Spread the béchamel sauce evenly over the pasta.
Repeat layers with remaining meat sauce and pasta.
Top with the remaining béchamel sauce and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup).
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

38 g

Sugar

30g

Fat

121g

Carbs

20g

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's?

Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's takes about 135 minutes from start to finish — roughly 30 minutes to prepare and 105 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's?

Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's has approximately 901.9 calories per serving, with about 95 g protein, 20 g carbohydrates and 79 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's?

The key ingredients for Pastitsio Just Like My Sister's are Penne, Eggs, Parmesan Cheese, Olive Oil, Onions, Ground Beef. See the full list with measurements above.