Authentic Greek Pastitsio Recipe: Layers of Flavor and Greek Comfort Food

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 with fewer calories.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: soy milk

Almond milk is lower in calories, while soy milk is often cheaper.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, while margarine can be more affordable.

In a pot add 3 liters of water and 1 1/2 tbsp salt and bring to a boil.

In a frying pan add 50 g of olive oil, 1 finely chopped onion, and 3 finely chopped cloves of garlic.

Add 750 g of ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon, sauté until brown (about 5 minutes).

Add some finely chopped parsley, season with salt and pepper, 1 tbsp of tomato paste, and 1 tbsp of sugar.

Add 250 g of canned tomatoes and 1 glass of water, then simmer until the liquid is absorbed.

Drain the pasta after cooking according to the packet instructions.

Toss the drained pasta in 50 g of melted butter to evenly coat it.

Transfer the pasta into a baking pan (25x35 cm) and sprinkle a handful of graviera cheese on top.

Top the pasta with the ground beef, distributing it evenly.

In a pot over medium heat, add 1 lt of whole milk, 2 egg yolks, 100 g of butter, and 150 g of all-purpose flour.

Mix and season with salt and pepper, stirring until the béchamel thickens.

Add a handful of graviera cheese and grate some nutmeg into the béchamel.

Pour the béchamel over the ground meat and distribute it evenly.

Sprinkle some cheese on top and scatter small pieces of butter over the top.

Preheat the oven at 200 C (390 F) and bake for 60 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens