Authentic Pastitsio (Kouzamia) (Printable Version)
A hearty Greek baked pasta dish with seasoned meat sauce and creamy béchamel topping - comfort food with Mediterranean flair.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta Layer
01 -
500g bucatini or long hollow pasta
02 -
2 tbsp olive oil
03 -
1 tsp salt
04 -
1 egg
05 -
100g grated cheese (Parmesan or Gruyère)
→ Meat Sauce
06 -
400g ground beef or mixed meat
07 -
1 medium onion, finely chopped
08 -
2 garlic cloves, minced
09 -
2 tbsp tomato paste
10 -
2 ripe tomatoes, grated or pureed
11 -
1 tsp ground cinnamon
12 -
1 tsp black pepper
13 -
Salt to taste
14 -
Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
15 -
1 tsp sugar
16 -
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
→ Béchamel Sauce
17 -
4 tbsp butter
18 -
4 tbsp all-purpose flour
19 -
1 liter warm milk
20 -
Salt to taste
21 -
Pinch of ground nutmeg
22 -
White pepper to taste
23 -
2 eggs
24 -
100g grated cheese (Parmesan or Gruyère)
# Steps To Follow:
01 -
Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil, the beaten egg, and cheese. Set aside.
02 -
In a skillet, sauté the onion in olive oil until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in the tomato paste, grated tomatoes, cinnamon, pepper, salt, sugar, and nutmeg. Simmer until the mixture thickens and most liquid evaporates.
03 -
In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and stir until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in the warm milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until thickened. Remove from heat. Whisk in the eggs quickly so they don't scramble. Add cheese and season with salt, nutmeg, and white pepper.
04 -
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a baking dish. Add half of the pasta as the bottom layer. Spoon the meat sauce evenly on top. Add the rest of the pasta over the meat. Pour the béchamel sauce on top and smooth the surface. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.
05 -
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Notes and Tips:
01 -
Pastitsio is a classic Greek baked pasta dish, sometimes called Greek lasagna. For authentic flavor, don't skip the cinnamon in the meat sauce.