betty's pastitsio

Name: Betty's Pastitsio
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pound(s) (750g) pasta, such as shells, penne or spirals; ## MEAT SAUCE; 1 tablespoon(s) vegetable oil; 1 large onion, diced as fine as you can; 2 pound(s) (1 kilo) ground beef (minced beef); 2 teaspoon(s) minced garlic; 1 can(s) crushed tomatoes; 1 bottle(s) Italian passata (thick tomato juice); 1 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon(s) ground allspice; 4 bayleaves; 1/2 cup(s) water, to swish out the remaining juice from the can and then pour into the passata bottle and shake to get all the tomato juice from there too; 2 teaspoon(s) sugar (to counter act the acidity of the tomatoes); 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt; 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cloves; ## BECHEMEL WHITE SAUCE; 4 ounce(s) (100g) butter, salted; 1/2 cup(s) plain flour; 3 - 4 cup(s) milk; 1 teaspoon(s) onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground nutmeg; ## TOPPING; 1 pound(s) mozzarella cheese, grated

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Betty Bramanis

Sydney

Updated on Apr 22, 2025

Greece's most popular baked pasta dish. It's similar to a lasagna but with Greek flavours - delicious! This is even better the next day.

Rate

Yum! Serve with a tossed salad and it's a complete meal.

prep time 1 Hr

cook time 45 Min

method Bake

yield 8 serving(s)

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds (750g) pasta, such as shells, penne or spirals
MEAT SAUCE
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced as fine as you can
2 pounds (1 kilo) ground beef (minced beef)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 bottle Italian passata (thick tomato juice)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
4 bayleaves
1/2 cup water, to swish out the remaining juice from the can and then pour into the passata bottle and shake to get all the tomato juice from there too
2 teaspoons sugar (to counter act the acidity of the tomatoes)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
BECHEMEL WHITE SAUCE
4 ounces (100g) butter, salted
1/2 cup plain flour
3 - 4 cups milk
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
TOPPING
1 pound mozzarella cheese, grated

How To Make betty's pastitsio

Step 1

In a heavy-based saucepan, heat the oil and fry the onion with the ground (minced) beef. Break up the meat so there are no large clumps. Add the cinnamon and garlic. Cook until fragrant (about a minute, don't overcook or the garlic will become bitter).

Step 2

Add in the remaining meat sauce ingredients, bring to an almost boil, reduce to low, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Step 3

Grease a large lasagna-style dish and turn on the oven to 375°F/180C. While the meat sauce is simmering. Cook the pasta until JUST cooked in boiling salted water. Drain. Pour the pasta into the dish.
Step 4

Make the white sauce by melting the butter, adding the flour, and cooking until it is all combined and you have cooked off the raw flour flavour (about 90 seconds). Add in the milk and onion powder and stir well. Keep stirring until it is thickened and coats the back of the spoon. Do not allow to come to the boil.
Step 5

Carefully pour the meat sauce over the pasta and stir to combine. Over the top of the combined meat and pasta, pour over the white sauce. Top with the grated cheese.
Step 6

Bake for 45 minutes until golden and bubbly. Allow to REST for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with a side salad.
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