Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Samos Restaurant›Pastitiso Recipe

Pastitiso Recipe

Inspired by Samos Restaurant
Time1h 30m
Serves8

Baked ziti layered with meat sauce and topped with creamy bechamel and parmesan.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Meat Sauce

Bechamel Sauce

Topping

Method

Pasta Preparation

  1. 1

    Cook the Pasta

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Meat Sauce Preparation

  1. 2

    Sauté the Aromatics

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

  2. 3

    Brown the Meat

    Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

  3. 4

    Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Bechamel Sauce Preparation

  1. 5

    Make the Roux

    In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden, stirring constantly.

  2. 6

    Add Milk

    Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

  3. 7

    Season and Combine

    Stir in nutmeg, salt, and half a cup of Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  4. 8

    Add Eggs

    Whisk in the eggs until fully incorporated into the sauce.

Assembly and Baking

  1. 9

    Layer the Dish

    In a large baking dish, spread half of the meat sauce at the bottom. Layer half of the cooked ziti on top, followed by half of the bechamel sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining meat sauce, ziti, and finish with the rest of the bechamel.

  2. 10

    Add Topping

    Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top of the bechamel layer.

  3. 11

    Bake

    Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pastitiso for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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