Pastitsio(Home-Style Casserole From Greece)
A hearty Greek casserole featuring seasoned ground meat, creamy béchamel, and pasta, perfect for family dinners with rich flavors and comforting textures.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground lamb, ground beef or ground pork ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dry red wine ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons snipped parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 4 eggs, beaten individually ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 3/4 cups milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 cup elbow macaroni, cooked and drained ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook ground meat with chopped onion and minced garlic until browned.
- Add tomato sauce, red wine, parsley, oregano, salt, and cinnamon to the meat mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cook elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain.
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs individually. In a saucepan, prepare béchamel sauce by heating milk and whisking in flour, then adding beaten eggs and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Combine cooked macaroni with meat sauce and mix well.
- Layer the meat mixture in a greased baking dish.
- Pour the béchamel sauce over the meat layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavors of your Pastitsio, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the béchamel sauce for extra warmth. If you don't have ground lamb, beef or pork can be used as substitutes. For a vegetarian option, try using lentils or mushrooms as a meat alternative. Make sure to cook the macaroni just until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Pastitsio with a fresh Greek salad or a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. It pairs beautifully with Rotini Antipasto Salad for a complete meal. For a more traditional experience, consider topping it with a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions, but be sure to cover them to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pastitsio(Home-Style Casserole From Greece) contains roughly 702 calories, with 35g protein, 89g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (175% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (120% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (96% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1023mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Pastitsio ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare Pastitsio in advance. Assemble the dish and cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just remember to increase the baking time slightly if cooking from cold.
What can I use instead of eggs in the béchamel sauce?
For a vegan option, you can substitute eggs with a mixture of ground flaxseeds and water, or use silken tofu blended until smooth. This will help achieve a creamy texture without eggs in the béchamel sauce.
Can I freeze Pastitsio?
Yes, Pastitsio freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).