Let the fun begin!
Pastitsio Greek pasta bake
Pastitsio is so much more than just another pasta bake.
), this is Greeces version of classicItalian Lasagna.
Feta toss pasta
We love how it slices neatly with the layers clearly visible, and the striking tubular Greek bucatini-style pasta.
And we (Cheese Monsters in particular) love the extra thick, cheesy Bechamel sauce topping.
The Greeks have not skimped on any element here.
Its all about abundance!
and the addition of egg whites.
2, pictured below.
Feta toss pasta
Its a tubular pasta like a really thick spaghetti with a hole running through it.
However its thicker than Italian bucatini , such as bucatini used in thisZucchini pasta.
Where to find Greek bucatini-style Pastitsio pasta No.
Greek meat sauce
2
Youll find Greek Pastitsio Pasta No.
2 at European delis and grocers around Sydney.
Cant find Pastitsio pasta?
Thick Greek Béchamel
Honestly, dont get too hung up about it.
Use ziti or penne instead if you want it to look similar when you cut it.
It wont alter flavour, just how it looks!
Pastitsio meat sauce
Making the meat sauce is really no different to making your favouriteSpaghetti Bolognese.
Its very straight forward!
This is intentional so it sits comfortably above the pasta layer, rather than trickling down through it.
This is how you get the neat layers!
Heres what you need for the meat sauce layer:
No boat-rockers amongst the above ingredients.
Red onion is often preferred in Greek cooking rather than the typical brown/yellow onions.
2.2 How to make Pastitsio meat sauce
As for making it, just pretend youre makingBolognese!
The added bonus is that the longer simmering time makes the beef super-tender and really intensifies the sauce flavours.
No complaints over here, Im personally a big fan of lots of cheese white sauce!
But dont go out of your way to hunt it down.
Kefalotyri Greek cheese
This is a firm, traditional Greek cheese made from sheep or goats milk.
Kefalotyri cheese is a hard cheese with a salty, savoury and piquant taste, similar to Parmesan.
However its not as salty as parmesan.
Believe it or not, these days its available at Woolworths and Coles in Australia!
Use leftover Kefalotyri to make Saganaki!
What to do with your leftover Kefalotyri?
Makesaganaki, a popular melted cheese Greek appetiser!
Squeeze over a bit of lemon, serve with bread for.
Grates like parmesan
you might thank me later…!!
Lumpy sauce?Dont worry!
Just give it a good whisk and it will smoothen out.
Grates like parmesan
Cook until thickened Stir over a medium heat until the sauce thickens, and wont thicken any further.
Then whisk the egg yolks in.
double-check you mix straight away once you add the yolks otherwise they may scramble in the sauce!!
Done!While warm, the sauce should be pourable but quite thick, like pictured.
Cover with a lid and keep warm until required.
If it goes cold, it will get too thick to pour.
If that happens just reheat it over a low heat until it becomes pourable again.
You need a BIG casserole dish for Pastitsio!
A typical 9 x 13 pan wont cut it, its not deep enough.
My baking dish is 33 x 22 x 7 cm / 9 x 13 x 2.75.
The longer it stands, the better it will hold its shape when cut.
If you want really neat slices, make it the day before reheat in the baking dish then cut!
This traditional salad is a lovely, refreshing contrast to the richness of Pastitsio.
Prevent screen from sleeping
