A simple to make tackle Greek pastitsio, a dish with layers of pasta, a tasty meat and tomato sauce, and a creamy bechamel sauce!
Pastitsio is a Greek dish that consists of layers of pasta, a meat and tomato sauce and a thick and creamy bechamel sauce. Usually the pasta used can be an extended thick tubular pasta (akin to pastitsio pasta no. 2) and the pasta layer can be simply pasta, however I like to make use of a extra simply out there pasta, akin to rigatoni or penne, and simply combine the pasta and meat sauce layers collectively. The meat sauce is fairly easy, beginning with floor lamb or beef, that’s seasoned with onions, garlic, thyme, and oregano, together with a touch of cinnamon and allspice, along with tomatoes. The bechamel sauce is slightly completely different, in that it has an egg (or egg yolks) combined in, which makes it creamier and helps to thicken it in order that it units! This recipe takes a little bit of time however it’s effectively well worth the effort!
Pastitsio
Prep Time: 10 minutes Prepare dinner Time: 50 minutes Whole Time: 1 hour Servings: 8
A simple to make tackle Greek pastitsio, a dish with layers of pasta, a tasty meat and tomato sauce, and a creamy bechamel sauce!
elements
- 1 pound pasta (akin to pastitsio pasta no. 2, penne, rigatoni, and so on) (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 1 1/2 kilos floor beef (or lamb)
- 1 giant onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- salt and pepper to style
- 4 tablespoons butter (or additional virgin olive oil)
- 4 tablespoons flour (rice flour for gluten-free)
- 2 cups milk
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 egg, frivolously overwhelmed
- 1/3 cup kefalotyri (or pecorino or parmesan), grated
- salt and pepper to style
For the pastitsio:
For the bechamel layer:
instructions
- Begin cooking the pasta as directed on the bundle.
- In the meantime, cook dinner the meat and onions in a big pan over medium warmth, about 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, combine, and cook dinner till aromatic, a couple of minute.
- Add the tomatoes, thyme, oregano, cinnamon, and all spice, convey to a boil, scale back the warmth and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Drain the cooked pasta and blend it into the meat sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to style.
- Pour the bechamel sauce excessive and bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven till the highest is a golden brown, about half-hour.
- Soften the butter in a medium saucepan, and let it cook dinner till it begins to froth.
- Sprinkle within the flour, combine effectively, and cook dinner for a minute.
- Add the milk and nutmeg, convey to a simmer, whisking, and simmer till the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes, earlier than turning off the warmth.
- Mood the egg by mixing 1 tablespoon of the sauce into the egg, repeating 3 extra instances earlier than mixing the egg and sauce combination again into the sauce.
- Add the cheese to the sauce, combine and let it soften into the sauce.
For the pastitsio:
For the bechamel layer:
Choice: Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste, together with the garlic.
Word: In case you are utilizing lean beef, you’ll be able to cook dinner the meat and onions on the similar time. In case you are utilizing a fattier meat, cook dinner the meat first and drain off the grease earlier than cooking the onions in oil.
Choice: Prime the bechamel sauce with extra grated kefalotyri!
