Recipe courtesy of Stamie Koutouzis

PASTITSIO

  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: 20 servings
  • Total: 3 hr 10 min
  • Prep: 15 min
  • Inactive: 1 hr
  • Cook: 1 hr 55 min
Advertisement

Ingredients

1/4 pound butter, plus 1/4 pound butter, melted and cooled

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck

1 onion, chopped fine

Salt and pepper

1 (12-ounces) can tomatoes

1 (12-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 pound ziti rigate or penne

3 cups grated pecorino Romano

3/4 cup flour

3 1/2 cups whole milk

5 eggs

Directions

  1. In a hot pan melt 4 ounces of butter, add ground chuck, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, bay leaf, and cinnamon and cook over medium flame for about 35 minutes.
  2. Cook macaroni in boiling water, strain and put back in pot to keep warm.
  3. Place a 1/4 of the grated cheese in a 11 by 14-inch pan, and then a layer with 1/3 of the pasta. Continue until both ingredients are used up. Spread on the meat sauce.
  4. Mix the final layer, the Pastitsio Crema by mixing 4 ounces of melted, cooled butter and 3/4 cup of flour. Heat 3 1/2 cups of milk and pour a little over flour and butter mixture then pour the rest of the mixture into the milk. Add 5 beaten eggs and stir thoroughly over medium flame until mixture thickens. Pour the crema on top of the meat sauce and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until brown. Cool for 1 hour before cutting.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

Robert B.

This is my families ‘go to’ meal for holidays and special occasions. My wife’s family is Greek and they swear this is the best Pastitsio they have tasted. Follow the instruction carefully and whisk the heck out of the creama when you are making it to avoid burning or clumping. Cook until creama is slightly browned. We often double the ingredients to allow guests to bring some home and enjoy the next day. The only change I can suggest is use less pecorino romano. You can get away with 8oz so save your $ and reduce the fat. Enjoy!

See All Reviews