Pastichio

Discover the ultimate comfort food in this authentic Pastichio recipe, a classic Greek baked pasta dish that's layered with rich flavors and irresistible textures. Perfectly al dente penne or ziti is nestled between layers of spiced meat sauce, made with a savory blend of ground beef, pork, and aromatic hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, simmered in red wine and tomatoes. Crowned with a velvety béchamel sauce enriched with Parmesan and optional kefalotyri or Romano cheese, this dish bakes to golden, bubbling perfection. With its creamy top, hearty filling, and satisfying crunch of baked pasta, Pastichio makes an irresistible centerpiece for family dinners, festive gatherings, or casual evenings. Ready in just 90 minutes and serving up to 8, this crowd-pleasing recipe pairs beautifully with a crisp Greek salad and a glass of red wine for the ultimate Mediterranean dining experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 500 grams Penne or ziti pasta
• 500 grams Ground beef
• 250 grams Ground pork
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 400 grams Crushed tomatoes
• 120 milliliters Red wine
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 6 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 60 grams All-purpose flour
• 700 milliliters Milk, warmed
• 2 whole Eggs, beaten
• 120 grams Grated Parmesan cheese
• 60 grams Grated kefalotyri or Romano cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).

Step 2

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse with cool water, and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and pork to the skillet. Cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, red wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and thicken.

Step 6

While the meat sauce is cooking, prepare the béchamel. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to form a smooth paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes.

Step 7

Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the mixture until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and optional kefalotyri or Romano cheese.

Step 8

Once slightly cooled, whisk the beaten eggs into the béchamel sauce. Set aside.

Step 9

To assemble the Pastichio, grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked pasta evenly on the bottom. Layer the meat sauce over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta on top.

Step 10

Pour the béchamel sauce over the top layer of pasta, smoothing it with a spatula. Ensure the surface is completely covered.

Step 11

Bake the Pastichio in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and allow the dish to cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3069.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5263.3

Total Fat 336.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 151.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 1160.6mg	0%
Sodium 7371.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 281.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.1g	0%
Total Sugars 62.4g
Protein 283.4g	0%

Vitamin D 419.7IU	0%
Calcium 3101.5mg	0%
Iron 23.5mg	0%
Potassium 4210.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.2%

Protein: 21.5%

Carbs: 21.3%