Greek Pastitsio with Cinnamon Béchamel

Name: Greek Pastitsio with Cinnamon Béchamel
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 500g ground beef or lamb; 1 cup tomato puree; 1/2 cup red wine; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 500g penne or ziti pasta; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 egg, beaten; 1/4 cup butter; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3 cups milk; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; Salt and pepper to taste; Additional Parmesan for topping; Fresh parsley for garnish

A traditional baked pasta dish with a delightful aromatic twist

Discover the rich layers of this classic Greek comfort dish, featuring pasta, spiced meat sauce, and a creamy cinnamon-infused béchamel topping.

2 h
8
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

500g ground beef or lamb

1 cup tomato puree

1/2 cup red wine

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pasta Layer

500g penne or ziti pasta

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg, beaten

For the Cinnamon Béchamel

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Add-ons

Additional Parmesan for topping

Fresh parsley for garnish

Preparation

Preparing the Meat Sauce

Heat Oil

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Sauté Veggies

Sauté onions and garlic until soft.

Cook Meat & Simmer

Add ground meat and cook until browned. Mix in tomato puree, wine, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Preparing the Pasta

Cook Pasta

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.

Mix Ingredients

Return pasta to pot, stir in butter, Parmesan, and beaten egg. Mix well.

Cool Pasta

Set aside to cool slightly.

Ensure the pasta and meat sauce cool slightly before layering to prevent premature cooking of the béchamel. Pro Tip: Add a splash of the pasta water to the meat sauce for enhanced flavor integration.

Cooking Process

Layering & Assembly

Spread half the pasta in a greased baking dish. Add the meat sauce over the pasta, followed by another layer of pasta. Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top.

Sprinkle additional Parmesan over the béchamel for an extra cheesy crust.

Baking

Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45 minutes, then broil on high for the last 5 minutes to achieve a golden top.

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) before baking.

Plating & Serving