Pastitso
📜 Collection: Dwayne Collection | ✍️ Attribution: Unattributed | 📂 Category: Entrees A traditional Greek lasagna featuring layered macaroni, spiced ground meat, and a rich cream sauce. Baked until golden brown and bubbling with melted cheese.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 mins | 40 mins | 15 mins | 8 servings |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Deep lasagne pan
- Saucepan
- Colander
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 lb. | Macaroni | Boiled |
| 2 lbs. | Ground lamb or beef | Raw |
| 1 lb. | Grated cheese | Parmesan, Mizithra, or Kefalotiri |
| 3 small | Onions | Chopped |
| 1/2 can | Tomato paste | Standard size |
| 1 tsp. | Cinnamon | Ground |
| 1 tsp. | Clove | Ground |
| 1/2 cup | Wine | Plus extra if necessary |
| 3 | Eggs | Slightly beaten |
| 1 1/2 lbs. | Butter | Melted (divided usage with cream sauce) |
| To taste | Salt and pepper | Combined |
Cream Sauce
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 qt. | Milk | Whole milk preferred |
| 2 | Eggs | Beaten |
| 5 tbsp. | Cornstarch | Starch |
| 1/3 tsp. | Salt | Fine |
| 1/2 | Of original melted butter | Reserved from main ingredients |
Instructions
Step 1: Pasta and Meat Preparation
- Boil 1 lb. macaroni in salted water until tender, then drain and return to pan.
- Pour a portion of the 1 1/2 lbs. butter (melted) over the 1 lb. macaroni, also add most of the 1 lb. grated cheese and 3 slightly beaten eggs. Mix well.
- In a separate skillet, fry 3 small chopped onions in butter, add 2 lbs. ground lamb or beef, 1/2 can tomato paste, 1/2 cup wine, 1 tsp. cinnamon, and 1 tsp. clove. Cook till the 2 lbs. ground lamb or beef is done, adding more wine if necessary.
Step 2: Cream Sauce
- Over low heat, place a portion of the 1 1/2 lbs. butter (melted) in a pan. Add 5 tbsp. cornstarch, 1 qt. milk, and 1/3 tsp. salt. Stir till thickened.
- Cool slightly. Add a little of the hot mixture to 2 beaten eggs and then temper the 2 beaten eggs mixture back into the main 1 qt. milk sauce. Mix well.
- Stir in 1/2 of original melted butter into the finished cream sauce.
Step 3: Assembly and Baking
- Pour a little cream sauce in the bottom of a deep lasagne pan.
- Spread half of the 1 lb. macaroni mixture, cover with the seasoned 2 lbs. ground lamb or beef meat sauce.
- Spread the rest of the 1 lb. macaroni and cover with the remaining cream sauce. Sprinkle the top with remaining 1 lb. grated cheese.
- Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Let it set awhile until firm before serving. Cut into squares and serve.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Assemble the pastitso completely in the pan, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Original Recipe Scan
