Pastitso Almost Like Lasagna

Delight in the rich, comforting flavors of "Pastitso Almost Like Lasagna," a Mediterranean-inspired twist on the classic Italian favorite. This dish layers tender ziti pasta, a spiced ground beef sauce infused with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a luscious béchamel topping enriched with Parmesan and egg yolks for creamy decadence. A golden, bubbling layer of mozzarella crowns this baked masterpiece, making it irresistible straight out of the oven. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this recipe combines hearty ingredients and Mediterranean spices to deliver a satisfying, lasagna-like experience that’s both familiar and uniquely flavorful.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Ziti pasta
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 medium, finely chopped Onion
• 3 cloves, minced Garlic
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 14 oz can Canned crushed tomatoes
• 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp, or to taste Salt
• 0.5 tsp, or to taste Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 4 tbsp Butter
• 4 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 3 cups Milk
• 1 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Egg yolks
• 1.5 cups, shredded Mozzarella cheese

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Step 6

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a paste (roux).

Step 7

Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the béchamel sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 8

Remove the béchamel sauce from heat and stir in half the Parmesan cheese. Let it cool slightly, then whisk in the egg yolks until smooth.

Step 9

In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti pasta. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the top, followed by the remaining ziti.

Step 10

Pour the béchamel sauce over the final pasta layer, ensuring it completely covers the dish.

Step 11

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 12

Bake the Pastitso in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 13

Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2542.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4597.5

Total Fat 250.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 112.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 1086.7mg	0%
Sodium 5607.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 375.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.8g	0%
Total Sugars 79.3g
Protein 233.7g	0%

Vitamin D 394.8IU	0%
Calcium 3336.0mg	0%
Iron 27.8mg	0%
Potassium 4478.7mg	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: 48.0%

Protein: 19.9%

Carbs: 32.0%