Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Urban Kitchen›Greek Pastitsio Recipe

Greek Pastitsio Recipe

Inspired by Urban Kitchen
Time1h 30m
Serves6

Make Greek Pastitsio Recipe in just 1h 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Béchamel Sauce

Method

Prepare the Pasta

  1. 1

    Cook the Elbow Macaroni

    In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add 1 tsp of salt. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Make the Meat Sauce

  1. 2

    Sauté the Vegetables

    In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.

  2. 3

    Cook the Meat

    Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.

  3. 4

    Add Tomatoes and Spices

    Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Prepare the Béchamel Sauce

  1. 5

    Make the Roux

    In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes until bubbling and golden.

  2. 6

    Add Milk

    Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.

  3. 7

    Season and Add Eggs

    Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg and salt. Let it cool slightly before whisking in the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese.

Assemble and Bake

  1. 8

    Layer the Pastitsio

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta, followed by the meat sauce, and then the remaining pasta on top.

  2. 9

    Top with Béchamel

    Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top layer of pasta. Spread it out gently with a spatula.

  3. 10

    Bake

    Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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