Main Course · Dinner · Mediterranean ·

Greek Pastitsio with Cinnamon Béchamel

Name: Greek Pastitsio with Cinnamon Béchamel
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 160 min
Yield: 8 servings
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

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

4.8(746 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 22, 2026

Greek Pastitsio with Cinnamon Béchamel — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

40 min

Cook

2 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Meat Sauce

For the Pasta Layer

For the Cinnamon Béchamel

Optional Add-ons

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 633 kcal
Protein: 27.9 g
Carbs: 61.8 g
Fat: 30 g
Fiber: 3.1 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 5060 kcal
Protein: 222.9 g
Carbs: 494.3 g
Fat: 239.9 g
Fiber: 25.1 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 tablespoons olive oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 large onion, finely chopped	44	1.2	10.3	0.1	1.9
2 cloves garlic, minced	9	0.4	2	0	0.1
500g ground beef or lamb	1345	94	0	104	0
1 cup tomato puree	80	4	18	0.4	4
1/2 cup red wine	100	0.1	4	0	0
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon	6	0.1	2.1	0	1.4
1/2 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 teaspoon black pepper	3	0.1	0.6	0.1	0.2
500g penne or ziti pasta	1900	70	394	7.5	16
2 tablespoons butter	204	0.2	0.1	23	0
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese	108	10	1	7	0
1 egg, beaten	72	6.3	0.6	4.8	0
1/4 cup butter	407	0.5	0	46	0
1/4 cup all-purpose flour	114	3	23	0.3	0.9
3 cups milk	366	27	38	19.5	0
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon	2	0	0.6	0	0.4
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg	3	0.1	0.3	0.2	0.1
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Additional Parmesan for topping	54	5	0.5	3.5	0
Fresh parsley for garnish	1	0	0.2	0	0.1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Meat Sauce

1
Heat Oil
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2
Sauté Veggies
Sauté onions and garlic until soft.
3
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

1
Cook Pasta
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
2
Mix Ingredients
Return pasta to pot, stir in butter, Parmesan, and beaten egg. Mix well.
3
Cool Pasta
Set aside to cool slightly.
Tip: 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.

How to Make Greek Pastitsio with Cinnamon Béchamel

Total time: 2 h 40 min · Yields 8 servings

1
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.
2
Baking
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45 minutes, then broil on high for the last 5 minutes to achieve a golden top.