My Big Fat Greek Pastitsio

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 1
My Big Fat Greek Pastitsio - A Hearty and Comforting Greek Dish
in Main

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 hr

Ready In

1 hr 30 min

Level

Difficult

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

8 ounces elbow macaroni , cooked & drained according to package directions
1 lb lean ground beef or 1 lb ground lamb ( or combo )
2 cloves garlic , minced
3 tablespoons sweet unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
2 medium onions , chopped
2 cans unseasoned tomato sauce
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon , divided
2 1/4 cups milk
salt , to taste
pepper , to taste
ground nutmeg , to taste

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
8-10
Calories
485
Sugar
8g
Fat
22g
My Big Fat Greek Pastitsio is a traditional Greek dish that is perfect for feeding a large family or group of friends. The dish consists of layers of cooked macaroni noodles and a meat sauce made with either beef or lamb, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. The top layer is a creamy and cheesy egg custard that adds richness and depth of flavor. It is often served with a side of Greek salad or steamed vegetables to balance out the richness of the dish.

Instructions

1.Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2.In a large pan, sauté the onion and garlic in butter over medium heat until they soften.
3.Add the meat and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and cook until browned.
4.Add the tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
5.Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
6.Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to package instructions and drain it.
7.In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, flour, and eggs until smooth.
8.Add the remaining cinnamon, salt, and pepper to the mixture.
9.Grease a large baking dish and add the macaroni to it.
10.Pour the sauce over the macaroni and add the egg mixture on top.
11.Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
12.Let the pastitsio cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

PROS

My Big Fat Greek Pastitsio is a crowd-pleaser that is great for feeding a large group of people.

The dish is filling and satisfying, making it a great comfort food.

The combination of cinnamon and nutmeg give it a unique and delicious flavor.

It can be made with either beef or lamb, and the dish is versatile enough to be served as a main course or a side dish.

CONS

The dish can take some time and effort to prepare, as it requires multiple steps.

It can also be heavy on calories and fat due to the addition of meat and eggs.

Those with a lactose intolerance should avoid this dish due to the milk content.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Though not particularly healthy, this dish can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
The meat provides a good source of protein and nutrients such as iron and zinc.
The cinnamon and nutmeg have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

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