{"id":74389,"date":"2018-01-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-09T00:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/origin-www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/nikki-s-perfect-pastitsio\/"},"modified":"2024-09-17T14:10:02","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T19:10:02","slug":"nikki-s-perfect-pastitsio","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/nikki-s-perfect-pastitsio\/","title":{"rendered":"Pastitsio"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pastitsio is a beloved Greek recipe made with layers of pasta, meat sauce and cheese. It’s similar to lasagna, but this is no ordinary casserole. Pastitsio features a thick layer of tube-shaped pasta layered with a spiced meat sauce followed by a generous topping of Parmesan bechamel sauce. The dish\u00a0makes a striking presentation when it’s sliced.<\/p>\n

The recipe makes a whopping 12 servings, so it’s perfect for a big family meal or dinner party. It’s one of those Greek recipes<\/a> that’s easy to reheat, too, so you can enjoy slices as a work lunch or a weekend snack.<\/p>\n

What is pastitsio made of?<\/h2>\n

This recipe is sometimes called “Greek lasagna” because it’s a layered casserole that resembles an Italian lasagna. The first layer in pastitsio is cooked pasta. The traditional variety is bucatini, but short, tubular kinds of pasta can be used as well.<\/p>\n

The next layer is a meat sauce made with beef, lamb or a combination of the two. The meat is simmered with tomato, aromatics and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.<\/p>\n

The final layer is a thick bechamel sauce made with Parmesan cheese. Bechamel is one of the five mother sauces<\/a> in French cuisine. For the sauce, butter and flour are briefly cooked together to make a roux, which thickens the sauce when whisked with simmering milk. The Greek take on bechamel adds eggs or egg yolks to the mixture for a richer color and texture.<\/p>\n

The whole thing is baked until it’s hot and set, making it easy to slice. It’s definitely a traditional Greek food<\/a> worth trying!<\/p>\n

Ingredients for Pastitsio<\/h2>\n