Everyday recipes
Pastitsio
Serving size: Serves 6
Cuisine type: GreekCooking time: More than 1 hour
Course: MainFavourite flavours: Beef
Pastitsio Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
750g beef mince
400g can diced tomatoes
½ cup beef stock
½ cup water
1/3 cup tomato paste
¼ cup white wine
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg, lightly beaten
Macaroni base
250g macaroni pasta
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Cheese sauce
90g butter, chopped
½ cup plain flour
3½ cups milk
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 egg yolks
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
METHOD
- Preheat oven to moderate, 180°C. Lightly grease 6-8 ramekins or a large ovenproof dish.
- Heat oil in large frying pan on high. Sauté onions and garlic for 2-3 minutes until tender. Add mince. Cook, stirring, for 4-5 minutes until browned.
- Stir in tomatoes, stock, water, tomato paste, wine and cinnamon. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 20-25 minutes until liquid has almost evaporated. Remove from heat and cool. Stir in egg and season to taste.
- Macaroni base: cook pasta according to packet instructions. Drain well. In a large bowl, combine pasta, cheese and egg.
- Cheese sauce: melt butter in saucepan on medium heat. Blend in flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk until smooth.
- Return to heat and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until mixture boils and thickens. Simmer for 3 minutes. Cool slightly. Stir in cheese, egg-yolks and nutmeg.
- Press pasta over base of prepared dishes. Top with meat sauce. Spread cheese sauce over. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
- Bake 25-30 minutes (ramekins) or 50-60 minutes (large dish) until firm and lightly browned. Stand 5 minutes before serving.
Top tip To save time on the cheese sauce, you could use a packet of white sauce and add cheese, egg yolks and nutmeg. Serve dish with salad drizzled with olive oil.
More recipesGreek lamb cutlets with tzatzikiDolmadesGreek bean salad
