- Pastitsio
- Description
Luscious layers of pasta and seasoned ground beef and pork topped with a creamy yogurt béchamel sauce baked to a golden brown perfection - a fantastic comfort food option.
Preparation time: 45'
Cooking Time: 60'
Total Time: 105'
Baking/Bake
12 Servings
| greek extra virgin olive oil | ½ cup |
| onion,chopped | 1 cup |
| garlic cloves | 4 super-sized |
| green bell pepper | 1 medium |
| ground minced beef | 2 ¼ lb. |
| ground pork | 1 lb. |
| cognac | ½ cup |
| cinnamon stick | 1 |
| cloves | 4 whole |
| black pepper | a pinch |
| salt | a pinch |
| oregano | a pinch |
| tomatoes,crushed | 3 large |
| tomato paste | 2 tablespoons |
| water | 2 cups |
| penne pasta | 1 bag (500gr) |
| butter (good quality) | 1 stick |
| flour | 5-6 tablespoons |
| milk | 4 cups |
| salt | a pinch |
| black pepper | a pinch |
| nutmeg | ½ teaspoon |
| egg yolk | 1 |
| kefalotyri cheese | ½ cup |
| greek yogurt | 1 cup |
| kefalotyri cheese(sprinkle on top) | 1-2 cups |
| butter | drizzle |
1. For the sauce, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
2. Add the beef and pork, and sauté over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until it's no longer pink, crumbling it with a wooden spoon.
3. Add the wine, and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the garlic, cinnamon stick, cloves, black pepper, salt, oregano, and continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, 2 cups of water and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Set aside. Don't forget to remove the cinnamon stick and cloves.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
5. For the béchamel, in a medium saucepan melt one stick of butter. Add 5-6 tablespoons of flour stirring until it become a paste on a medium- high heat.
6. Add in small portions of the milk. Continue cooking and constantly whisking for 8 minutes or until the mixture thickens and is smooth.
7. Add the nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir well.
8. Stir in 1/2 cup of Kefalotyri cheese; allow cooling for 10 minutes.
9. Stir in the egg and Greek yogurt and set aside.
10. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Don't over-cook because the pasta will later be baked. Drain and set aside.
11. In a large mixing bowl, add the pasta, meat and tomato sauce, and two large scoops of béchamel and mix well making sure to coat all the pasta. Pour the mixture into a lightly buttered baking dish and dust finely chopped bread crumbs.
12. Spread the remaining béchamel evenly to cover the pasta and sprinkle on the top the 1-2 cups of Kefalotyri cheese.
13. Lightly drizzle the remaining butter on the top and bake for 1 hour, until golden brown and bubbly.
14. Set aside for 15-20 minutes and serve hot.
