Pastitsio – Cypriot Baked Pasta

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 4
Cypriot-style Pastitsio Baked Pasta recipe for your dinner tonight
in Pasta

Prep

30 min

Cook

90 min

Ready In

120 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

750 g beef , ground
1 onion , diced
2 sticks celery , diced
30 ml olive oil
130 ml red wine
450 ml tomatoes , passata
1 tablespoon cinnamon
400 g pastitsio pasta
2 teaspoons butter
1/2 cup kefalotiri , grated
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup flour
1 quart milk , warmed
8 egg yolks , beaten lightly
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg , ground

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
8
Calories
720
Sugar
7g
Fat
38g
Pastitsio is a traditional Cypriot dish that combines tomato-based beef sauce with pasta and a creamy bechamel sauce on top. It's a comfort food that's typically enjoyed with family and friends at Sunday dinners and holidays. The cinnamon in the beef sauce adds a unique flavor that sets it apart from other pasta dishes. Baking the pasta in the oven gives it a golden crust and crispy top that's irresistible. It's a perfect dish to warm you up on a cold night or to feed a crowd at a potluck.

Instructions

1.Preheat your oven to 200°C.
2.Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3.Add onions and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes.
4.Add ground beef and cook until browned.
5.Pour in red wine and allow it to reduce.
6.Add passata, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to the skillet and stir well.
7.Allow the sauce to cook for about 30 minutes.
8.Cook the pastitsio according to package instructions and drain it.
9.Place it in a bowl and add butter and grated kefalotiri.
10.Grease a baking dish and evenly spread half of the pasta at the bottom of the dish.
11.Beat the egg yolks, milk, and nutmeg in a large bowl and pour it over the pasta.
12.Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta.
13.Sprinkle grated kefalotiri on top.
14.Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-60 minutes or until the top is golden-brown and bubbly.

PROS

The combination of savory beef sauce and creamy bechamel is absolutely delicious.

It’s an easy one-dish meal that can feed a crowd.

CONS

This dish is high in calories and fat, so it should be enjoyed in moderation as a treat.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

The cinnamon in this recipe has antioxidant properties and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Ground beef is a good source of protein, iron, and vitamin B12.

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