{"id":"recipe_cd4b4d7923","slug":"pastitsio","title":"Pastitsio (Παστίτσιο)","description":"A classic Greek comfort food featuring layers of tubular pasta, a rich and aromatic meat sauce with cinnamon and cloves, topped with a thick, velvety layer of golden-baked béchamel.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g Pastitsio No. 2 pasta (or Bucatini)","name":"Pasta","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"tubular No. 2","notes":"Bucatini is a good substitute","group":"Pasta Layer","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500g ground beef","name":"Ground Beef","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"can also use half beef, half pork","group":"Meat Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 large onion, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"large","group":"Meat Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Meat Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"400g crushed tomatoes","name":"Tomato","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14,"usUnit":"oz","form":"crushed","notes":"canned","group":"Meat Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tbsp tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"","notes":"","group":"Meat Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1/2 cup dry red wine","name":"Red Wine","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"dry red","notes":"","group":"Meat Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 stick cinnamon","name":"Cinnamon","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"stick","notes":"","group":"Meat Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"100g butter","name":"Butter","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"unsalted","notes":"","group":"Béchamel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"100g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"","notes":"","group":"Béchamel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 liter whole milk","name":"Milk","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"4 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"whole","notes":"warmed slightly","group":"Béchamel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"3 egg yolks","name":"Egg Yolks","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"yolks","notes":"","group":"Béchamel","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"150g Kefalotyri cheese, grated","name":"Kefalotyri cheese","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"grated","notes":"Kefalotyri or Parmesan","group":"Topping/Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"1/2 tsp ground nutmeg","name":"Nutmeg","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Béchamel","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until 'al dente' (usually 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions). Drain and set aside, mixing in a little grated cheese if desired.","group":"Pasta Layer","title":"Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water","timerMinutes":8,"sourceTitle":"Pasta Layer"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté the onion and garlic until translucent. Add the ground beef and brown it thoroughly, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.","group":"Meat Sauce","title":"Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté the onion and garlic","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Meat Sauce"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, wine, cinnamon stick, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for about 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the liquid has mostly evaporated.","group":"Meat Sauce","title":"Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, wine, cinnamon stick,","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Meat Sauce"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"In a separate pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the warm milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.","group":"Béchamel","title":"In a separate pot, melt the butter","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Béchamel"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Remove the béchamel from heat. Whisk in the egg yolks, nutmeg, and half of the grated cheese.","group":"Béchamel","title":"Remove the béchamel from heat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Béchamel"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer the cooked pasta at the bottom. Spread the meat sauce (cinnamon stick removed) evenly over the pasta. Pour the béchamel sauce over the meat and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.","group":"Assembly","title":"Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 45-50 minutes until the top is deep golden brown. Let it rest for at least 20 minutes before cutting to ensure the layers hold together.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":50,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"Using Greek 'No. 2' pasta (bucatini style) is traditional as it holds the sauce better. For the cheese, Kefalotyri or Graviera are best, but Parmesan is a great substitute.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["bake","simmer","boil"],"equipment":["9x13 inch baking dish","large pot","medium pot","whisk","wooden spoon"],"diet":["mediterranean"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"baking pan","note":"approx. 9x13 inch pan"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The meat sauce and béchamel can be prepared a day ahead. You can also assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it before baking."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the fridge.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in the oven at 150°C (302°F) covered with foil to prevent drying."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_cd4b4d7923%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=de4ab7d2-2655-4203-a73f-89375b86e76d","imageAlt":"Pastitsio (Παστίτσιο) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["pasta","casserole","comfort food","greek","ground beef","bechamel"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Pastitsio (Παστίτσιο)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:40:53.522Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:40:53.522Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_93cd8cc1d5","slug":"foul-mudammas-egyptian-b0a2d1a5","title":"Quick Foul Mudammas with Canned Fava Beans","description":"A traditional Egyptian and Mediterranean breakfast staple made from slow-cooked fava beans, seasoned with garlic, lemon, and high-quality olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","mediterranean","high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_93cd8cc1d5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5f51ba9c-cd23-448e-9c6a-c10cf077e07d","imageAlt":"Quick Foul Mudammas with Canned Fava Beans — recipe cover","tags":["fava beans","egyptian breakfast","healthy","high protein","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_e90a4fd311","slug":"kagianas","title":"Kagianas","description":"A traditional Greek breakfast delight featuring vine-ripened tomatoes and creamy feta cheese scrambled with fresh eggs for a Mediterranean start to your day.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e90a4fd311%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b290bd3d-1e1d-42f8-8a20-bcfda19a5c6e","imageAlt":"Kagianas — recipe cover","tags":["eggs","tomato","feta","greek","mediterranean","healthy","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"menemen_a62c2fd7c2","slug":"menemen","title":"Menemen","description":"A classic Turkish breakfast dish consisting of eggs, tomatoes, and green peppers, traditionally served in a metal skillet with crusty bread.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","low_carb","gluten_free","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmenemen_a62c2fd7c2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e9e71400-16af-40b7-bac9-bd5fd60261a7","imageAlt":"Menemen — recipe cover","tags":["turkish breakfast","eggs","tomatoes","vegetarian","healthy","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}