Pastitsio: the mouthwatering recipe for Greek baked pasta

Pastitsio is a hearty Greek baked pasta dish that's packed with flavor. It's a delicious comfort food similar to lasagna but with a Greek twist. Pastitsio is made with layers of tender pasta topped in a rich tomato and meat sauce seasoned with nutmeg and cloves, creamy béchamel sauce, and plenty of tangy, salty kefalotyri cheese.

It's a great make-ahead recipe you can put together and bake later in the week, making it perfect for folks looking for tasty meal prep options. Rich, fragrant, and incredibly satisfying, pastitsio is one recipe you'll want to add to your recipe collection.

Tips for making Greek Baked Pasta

No red onions? Use brown or yellow onions or shallots.

Use a dry red wine like

Kefalotyri cheese is available at Greek and Mediterranean specialist stores. If you can't get a hold of it, substitute parmesan or pecorino.

You can also use ziti, penne, or regular bucatini in this recipe.

Whole milk tastes best, but you can use low-fat or plant-based milk instead.

Use an inexpensive dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, or Merlot, or try a dry Greek red like Xinomavro or Agiorgitiko.

What to Serve with Pastitsio

Any Greek or Mediterranean veggie dishes will go well with pastitsio. Try a Greek salad, couscous, fried zucchini, eggplant moussaka, or Greek potatoes.

How to Store Pastitsio

Cover and store pastitsio in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave until warmed through. You can also reheat Greek baked pasta in the oven at 350F until heated.

How to Make Pastitsio

Step 1

Step 1

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven. Sauté the garlic and onions for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions become soft.

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven. Sauté the garlic and onions for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions become soft.

Step 2

Step 2

Stir in the beef and sauté until it browns. Break up any large chunks.

Stir in the beef and sauté until it browns. Break up any large chunks.

Step 3

Step 3

Stir in the wine and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until most of the wine has evaporated.

Stir in the wine and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until most of the wine has evaporated.

Step 4

Step 4

Stir in tomato, crumbled stock cubes, and tomato paste.

Stir in tomato, crumbled stock cubes, and tomato paste.

Step 5

Step 5

Add the sugar, bay leaf, spices, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat, and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Add the sugar, bay leaf, spices, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat, and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Step 6

Step 6

Once most of the liquid has evaporated, take the pot off the heat and leave the sauce to cool to about room temperature.

Once most of the liquid has evaporated, take the pot off the heat and leave the sauce to cool to about room temperature.

Step 7

Step 7

Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium. Whisk in the flour until fully combined.

Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium. Whisk in the flour until fully combined.

Step 8

Step 8

Continue whisking and add half the milk.

Continue whisking and add half the milk.

Step 9

Step 9

Once a paste forms, whisk in the rest of the milk. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly until thickened.

Once a paste forms, whisk in the rest of the milk. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly until thickened.

Step 10

Step 10

Add the grated nutmeg.

Add the grated nutmeg.

Step 11

Step 11

Take the pot off the heat. Mix in cheese and salt.

Take the pot off the heat. Mix in cheese and salt.

Step 12

Step 12

Cool for several minutes then beat in the egg yolks. Cover the pot with a lid and set aside.

Cool for several minutes then beat in the egg yolks. Cover the pot with a lid and set aside.

Step 13

Step 13

Cook the pasta following the instructions on the box, minus one minute. Drain, then cool for 3 minutes. Add in the feta.

Cook the pasta following the instructions on the box, minus one minute. Drain, then cool for 3 minutes. Add in the feta.

Step 14

Step 14

Mix well. Preheat your oven to 350F.

Mix well. Preheat your oven to 350F.

Step 15

Step 15

Arrange the pasta in a casserole dish so most of the pasta is facing in the same direction.

Arrange the pasta in a casserole dish so most of the pasta is facing in the same direction.

Step 16

Step 16

Cover the pasta with the meat sauce.

Cover the pasta with the meat sauce.

Step 17

Step 17

Pour the béchamel sauce over the meat sauce.

Pour the béchamel sauce over the meat sauce.

Step 18

Step 18

Top with cheese.

Top with cheese.

Step 19

Step 19

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 20

Step 20

Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes then slice and serve.

Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes then slice and serve.