Try This Traditional Greek Pastitsio (Pasta Bake) For A Gratifying Carb Fix

Traditional Greek food has never been so accessible. Our pastitsio recipe is put together from macaroni, mince, a handful of spices, parmesan and canned tomatoes. Every spoonful of this baked pasta oozes comfort and flavour.

Yield: Serves 6
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Difficulty Level: 3/5

Ingredients

• 375 g macaroni
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 clove medium (300 g) brown onions, chopped
• garlic, crushed
• 500 g beef or lamb mince
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 400 g can diced or crushed tomatoes
• 2 tsps sugar
• 60 g butter
• ¼cup (35 g) plain flour
• 3 cups (750 ml) milk
• 2 eggs, beaten lightly
• ½ cup (40 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese or kefalotyri

Steps

01. Cook pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water until just tender; drain.

02. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat; cook onion and garlic, stirring, until soft but not coloured. Add the mince; cook, stirring, over a high heat until browned. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg; cook, stirring, for 1 min. Add the tomato paste; cook, stirring, for a further minute. Stir in the undrained tomatoes, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer, uncovered, for about 10 mins or until the liquid has reduced. The mixture should be quite dry and very rich and fragrant. Now is the time to taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

03. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat; stir in the flour. Stir for about 1 minute or until frothy. Gradually stir in the milk; cook, stirring, until mixture boils and thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat; whisk in the eggs.

04. Preheat the oven to 200 C (180 C fan-forced). Place pasta and the meat mixture in the base of a 20 cm x 30 cm ovenproof dish, then spread with the white sauce. Sprinkle the top with parmesan.

05. Place dish on an oven tray. Bake for about 30 mins or until the top is golden and bubbling. Serve with green salad, if desired.

TIP

Suitable to freeze at the end of Step 4. White sauce suitable to microwave.

Photo: bauersyndication.com.au