Pastitsio (Greek baked pasta with meat and béchamel)

Pastitsio (Greek baked pasta with meat and béchamel)

15 min
6

Σχετικά με τη συνταγή

Preparation 15 min
Cooking 1 h 15 min
Servings 6

Διατροφική αξία ανά μερίδα

The recipe

Pastitsio (Greek baked pasta with meat and béchamel)

15 min Preparation
1 h 15 min Cooking
6 Servings

Υλικά

For the meat sauce

  • 750 gr ground beef
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 1 garlic clove (chopped)
  • 2 ripe tomatoes (peeled & finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 75 ml white wine
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5-6 all spice
  • 2-3 cloves
  • 120 ml olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

For the pasta

  • 400 gr. thick tube spaghetti (bucatini)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt

For the bechamel sauce

  • 150 gr butter
  • 180 gr ap flour
  • 1,2 lt milk
  • 60 gr gruyere
  • 1 pinch of nutmeg
  • Salt & white pepper

For assembly

  • Grated cheese
  • Melted butter
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Εκτέλεση

Prepare the Meat Sauce

Heat olive oil in a pot. Add minced meat and cook until browned and fragrant. Add onion and garlic; sauté until glossy.

Stir in cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves, and allspice.

Add tomato paste and sauté briefly. Deglaze with white wine and let alcohol evaporate. Add chopped tomato, season with salt and pepper, and pour in 1 glass of water. Scrape the pot bottom, reduce heat, and simmer until thickened, for about 20’-25’. Remove spices before assembling.

Cook the Pasta

Boil water with salt and a 1 tbs olive oil. Add spaghetti and cook for about 10 minutes (until al dente). Keep in mind to cook for 2 minutes less than suggested on the package.

Drain under cold running water, toss with olive oil, and set aside.

Make the Béchamel Sauce

Melt butter in a pot, add flour, and stir to form a roux.

Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened.

Season with salt, white pepper, and grated nutmeg.

Stir in grated cheese, then remove from heat.

Assemble the Pastitsio

Mix pasta with some grated cheese, a little béchamel, and the meat sauce. Spread evenly in a greased baking dish.

Pour the remaining béchamel on top, sprinkle cheese, and drizzle melted butter.

Bake

Bake at 170°C (340°F) for about 25 minutes, until golden.

Let rest slightly for about 10 minutes before cutting into portions.

Serve

Serve warm and enjoy

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