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Meat, European

Pastitsio with green salad

Pastitsio is a Greek baked macaroni dish with a cinnamon spiced meat sauce and an egg enriched béchamel. For 4 people, it takes 1 hour 25 minutes and a moderate skill level, at about €3.00 per person. The key is letting the sauce reduce and letting the bake rest fully before cutting into it.

Tonight feels like Sunday early, with a pastitsio, the Greek baked macaroni with meat and cinnamon.

Pastitsio with green salad
Total time
1 h 25
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Under a golden crust, pastitsio hides two textures that play off each other, firm macaroni, tender meat scented with cinnamon, and an egg béchamel that turns almost custard like. That quiet sweet and savory balance is what sets it apart from an ordinary pasta bake.

This is a Sunday kind of dish, one you put together without rushing while the kitchen fills with the smell of cinnamon and tomato. Kids recognize the comforting pasta bake shape, adults pick up the Greek flavor in the sauce. It holds up well on a cold evening, whether it's just family or you're having people over.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Macaronioften in the pantry 400 g
  • Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 400 g
  • Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Flouroften in the pantry 60 g
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Butcher

  • Ground beef 500 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Green salad 1

Dairy

  • Milk 75 cl
  • Butter 60 g
  • Egg 1
  • Grated cheese 100 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the chopped onion in the oil, add the meat and garlic, then the tomatoes and cinnamon. Let it simmer. 25 min

    Let the sauce reduce, too watery and it will soak the pasta.

  2. Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the package says, then drain.

    It finishes cooking in the oven, overcooked now means mushy later.

  3. Make the béchamel by melting the butter, adding the flour, then the warm milk little by little. Season with salt and nutmeg, then off the heat stir in the beaten egg.

    Beating the egg into the warm béchamel gives it that almost custardy texture traditional pastitsio has.

  4. In a baking dish, spread half the macaroni, then the meat, the rest of the macaroni, the béchamel and the grated cheese.

    Press the layers down gently with the back of a spoon so the bake holds together when sliced.

  5. Bake at 180°C until golden on top, let rest for 10 minutes, then serve with the salad. 35 min

    Resting is essential, otherwise the slices fall apart on the plate.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a fairly thick, hollow pasta like bucatini or macaroni number 2, it holds its shape better under the béchamel.
  • Add the warm milk to the béchamel in several additions, whisking well each time, to keep it smooth and lump free.
  • If you're short on time for the 10 minute rest, make the pastitsio ahead and reheat it, it actually slices even cleaner once cooled and warmed back up.

The variations

  • Swap the ground beef for ground lamb for a bolder flavor closer to traditional versions.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with cooked, well drained red lentils, keeping the cinnamon.
  • To save time, use a ready made tomato sauce and a store bought béchamel, the result still holds up on a busy night.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of light red wine
  • Crusty bread for the sauce
  • Chilled water with lemon

Storage

Pastitsio keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, in portions, for up to a month. Reheat it in the oven rather than the microwave to keep the top golden.

Questions about this dish

Can you make pastitsio ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble it the day before and keep it in the fridge unbaked. Let it sit out a bit before baking so the center isn't too cold.

What pasta can you use instead of macaroni?

Bucatini or penne rigate both work well, as long as they're thick enough to hold up under the béchamel. Avoid thin pasta, it tends to collapse during baking.

Why add cinnamon to the meat sauce?

It's the detail that sets pastitsio apart from a regular pasta bake. One teaspoon is enough, it adds warmth without overpowering the tomato.

Does pastitsio freeze well?

Yes, it freezes very well, ideally already cut into portions. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating it in the oven.

How long does it take to make a pastitsio with green salad?

Count 1 h 25 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a pastitsio with green salad?

About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a pastitsio with green salad cost?

About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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