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Greek Pastitsio (Baked Pasta with Ground Beef & Béchamel)

Greek Pastitsio (Baked Pasta with Ground Beef & Béchamel)
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Indulge in the comforting flavors of Greek Pastitsio, a delightful baked pasta dish layered with seasoned ground beef and a creamy béchamel sauce. This Mediterranean casserole is perfect for gatherings or cozy family dinners, bringing warmth and joy to your table. With its rich flavor profile and satisfying textures, it’s sure to become a new favorite in your home. Greek Pastitsio is not only delicious but also a fantastic option for meal prep, making busy weeknights easier. Serve it with fresh salads or roasted vegetables for a complete meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2.4 pounds ground beef
  • 1 pound pastitsio pasta No2 (or similar tubular pasta)
  • 1.5 cups grated cheese (Greek Kefalotiri and Parmigiano Reggiano)
  • 6 cups whole milk
  • 1.2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion (grated or finely chopped)
  • 1 carrot (grated)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup dry apple vinegar
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 2 cups pureed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Freshly ground nutmeg (about ⅓ of a nutmeg seed)
  • Additional grated cheese for topping

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a deep pot over high heat and brown the ground beef. Once browned, add grated onion and carrot, cooking until softened.
  2. Stir in bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, salt, pepper, apple vinegar, tomato paste, and pureed tomatoes. Simmer until thickened.
  3. Boil salted water and cook pastitsio pasta until al dente; drain and rinse.
  4. Layer two-thirds of the pasta in a greased casserole dish with some grated cheese. Top with meat sauce and remaining pasta.
  5. For the béchamel sauce, whisk together olive oil and flour in a pot before gradually adding milk to create a smooth mixture. Stir in nutmeg, salt, cheese, and eggs.
  6. Pour béchamel over the layered pasta and sprinkle additional cheese on top.
  7. Bake at 355°F (180°C) for 50-60 minutes until golden brown. Let rest before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://simplemealbox.com/greek-pastitsio-baked-pasta-with-ground-beef-bechamel/