The famous greek baked pasta recipe - Pastitsio or greek Lasagna | GreekCuisine

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without dairy, while processed cheese is more affordable.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, while margarine can be a cheaper alternative.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: powdered milk

Almond milk is lower in calories, while powdered milk is cost-effective.

Heat 50 ml olive oil in a skillet.

Add 700 g ground meat and sauté until it changes color.

Add 1 chopped onion and 1-2 fine chopped carrots to the skillet.

Add parsley and celery.

Pour in 50 ml wine or cognac and stir.

Add 350 g canned tomatoes and 200 ml water.

Season with salt, black pepper, allspice, and 1 laurel leaf.

Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove the laurel leaf and allspice.

Add salt to the boiling water and cook 250 g pasta for Pastitsio for 4 minutes, then strain without rinsing.

In a saucepan, melt 70 g butter and add 70 g flour, stirring to combine.

Gradually whisk in 700 ml warm milk and cook until thickened.

Add 1 egg, nutmeg, and salt to the béchamel sauce and mix well.

Grease the baking pan with 2 tbsp oil.

Layer 2/3 of the pasta in the baking pan, followed by grated cheese and the meat sauce.

Top with the remaining pasta and pour the béchamel sauce over it.

Sprinkle grated cheese on top if desired.

Bake at 180°C (356°F) for about 40 minutes.

Let cool for 30 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens