Pastitsio – Greek lasagna is delicious classic comfort food with layers of creamy, rich béchamel sauce, a heartwarming beef ragù sauce, and fat spaghetti pasta.

A plate with a piece of Pastitsio-Greek lasagna and a fork.

Pastitsio is the kind of food if you had to describe it as an act would be a “good old bear hug”. It’s a fussy dish that can wreak havoc in your kitchen when you make it, especially if you are not an organized cook. But the end result is SO rewarding with your fork cutting through the layers of rich béchamel sauce, beef ragù, and tender pasta creating the perfect bite.

It’s the epitome of Greek comfort food. Like the Ancient Greeks used to say: Go big or go home. 😉

A plate with a piece of Pastitsio-Greek lasagna and a fork.

What is Pastitsio?

Pastitsio can be called the Greek lasagna due to the similarities between the two dishes. It has layers of creamy rich béchamel sauce, a heartwarming beef ragù sauce, and pasta. Traditionally a hollow “fat” pasta noodle is used that is a perfect vehicle for sauces and serves as a great base for baked casseroles like macaroni and cheese.

An open pack of pasta with some long macaroni showing.

Ingredients

I love to use some pancetta or bacon in the beef ragù. I also add, apart from onions, some diced carrots & celery, and fresh herbs. The white sauce is a classic thicker béchamel. Sometimes Greek cooks like to add eggs to their béchamel, I choose not to. I like to add 2 eggs beaten with fresh herbs and some crumbled feta on top of the pasta when I layer the dish.

  • Ground beef
  • Bacon or pancetta
  • Onions
  • Carrots diced
  • Fresh herbs like thyme and oregano
  • Garlic
  • Chopped tomatoes
  • Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken base
  • Tomato paste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Chili flakes
  • Sea salt
  • Pepper
Left, Bacon cooking. Right, carrots, onions and celery sautéing in a pan.

Place a medium pan over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the bacon until crisp. Remove from pan to a plate and set aside. (Image 1)

Add the diced onion. Sauté for 1 minute. Add the celery and carrots. Add 1 tablespoon of the chicken base. Stir and sauté for 1-2 min. (Image 2)

Left , ground beef browning with diced vegetables. Right, tomato sauce and ground beef cooking.

Add the ground meat. Brown for 4-5 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon into smaller pieces as it browns. (Image 3)

Add the tomatoes, nutmeg, thyme leaves, and bacon pieces. Check if there is enough water, you might need to add a little bit. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the sauce reduces and the meat is cooked. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. (Image 4)

Left, pasta arranged in a baking pan with cheese sauce. Right, beef ragu arranged in a pan.

Brush your baking pan with a little butter. 

When the pasta is ready, drain well and spread evenly in the pan. Lightly beat the 2 eggs, add the chopped thyme and crumbled feta cheese, and mix well. Spread egg mixture all over the pasta, make sure it goes all over from side to side. (Image 5)

Spread the beef ragu over the pasta. Set aside until needed. (Image 6)

Process steps for making béchamel.

(Image 7) Heat the butter in a pot over medium heat. As soon as it melts, start adding the flour gradually while beating with a hand whisk continuously. 

Add milk while whisking to avoid any lumps forming. As you add more of the milk, the bechamel sauce will become more creamy than thick. When you feel it’s ready, remove it from heat and add the grated cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.  

Left uncooked Pastitsio, right cooked Pastitsio with browned top.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Pour the bechamel sauce over the ragu. Sprinkle the reserved grated cheese all over the top. Sprinkle some chili flakes on top if you like. (Image 8)

Bake for 40 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. (Image 9)

Baked Pastitsio-greek lasagna in a baking pan.

Pastitsio is a lovely representation of traditional Greek comfort food. I hope you will enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Apiece of Pastitsio and a fork.
  • I use LOI pasta or MISKO No 5. Feel free to substitute the macaroni pasta with penne. It will work just fine.
  • You can use any kind of ground meat you like. My preference is just ground beef or a mix of beef and sausage.
  • Substitute a bouillon cube (with sustainable palm oil) with 1/2 cup water for the stock base. You can also use 1/2 cup of stock. Chicken, beef or vegetable is fine.
  • Make a vegetarian pastitsio by using lentils or mushrooms instead of meat in the ragù sauce.

You may also like:

Check out my Greek pantry staples 

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A plate with a piece of Pastitsio-Greek lasagna.

Pastitsio ( Greek pasta bake)

by Jenny | The Greek Foodie
Pastitsio – Greek lasagna is delicious classic comfort food with layers of béchamel sauce, a beef ragù sauce, and fat spaghetti pasta.
4.64 from 25 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 8
Calories 1024 kcal

Ingredients
  

for the beef ragù 

  • 1.5 lb ground beef
  • 8 oz bacon cut in pieces
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 celery diced
  • 1 carrots diced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 14 oz tomatoes chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Better than bouillon Roasted Chicken Base or a chicken bouillon or vegetable with half cup water
  • 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper

for the bechamel sauce

  • 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • sea salt

for the pasta

  • 2/3 box fat macaroni pasta such as Loi pasta or Misko No3
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup Greek feta cheese crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • a handful fresh thyme chopped

You will also need

  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated, to sprinkle on top before baking.
  • 1-2 tablespoons butter to butter the pan
  • all-purpose flour extra in case you need to thicken the bechamel.
  • red chili flakes to sprinkle on top before baking and for serving

Instructions
 

make the beef ragu

  • Place a medium pan over high heat.
    Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the bacon until crip. Remove from pan to a plate and set aside.
  • Add the diced onion. Sauté for 1 minute. Add the celery and carrots.
    Add 1 tablespoon of the chicken base. Stir and sauté for 1-2 min.
  • Add the ground meat. Brown for 4-5 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon to smaller pieces as it browns.
  • Add the tomatoes, nutmeg, thyme leaves and bacon pieces. Check if there is enough water, you might need to add a little bit.
    Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the sauce reduces and the meat is cooked. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

make the pasta

  • Cook the pasta all dente.
  • Brush your baking pan with a little butter. 
  • When the pasta is ready, drain well and spread in the pan. 
  • Lightly beat the 2 eggs, add the chopped thyme and crumbled feta cheese and mix well. 
    Spread egg mixture all over the pasta, make sure it goes all over from side to side. 
  • In the baking pan containing the pasta mixture spread the beef ragu over the pasta. 
  • Set aside until needed.

make the bechamel sauce

  • Heat the butter in a pot over medium heat. As soon as it melts, start adding the flour gradually while beating with a hand whisk continuously. 
  • Add milk while whisking to avoid any lumps forming. As you add more of the milk, the bechamel sauce will become more creamy than thick. When you feel it's ready, remove from heat and add the grated cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Finish assembly

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
    Pour the bechamel sauce evenly over the ragu. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese all over the top.
    Bake for 40 minutes or until the top turns golden brown.

Notes

  • I always keep more milk and flour around than I might actually need just in case an adjustment in the thickness of the sauce is needed.
  • Let pastitsio sit for 30 min before serving. It will be easier to cut and serve. 
  • Pair a piece of pastitsio with a green salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Enjoy!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 1024kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 32gFat: 89gSaturated Fat: 36gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 854mgPotassium: 632mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 2588IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 500mgIron: 3mg
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Pastitsio - Greek Lasagna

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Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I am such a huge fan of Pastitsio! Two of my best friends are from Greece so I have always been very picky about the way Pastitsio is made. I was pleasantly surprised with your recipe. My husband and kids went back for seconds. Saving this recipe to make again!

  2. 5 stars
    I love this recipe, so satisfying and comforting. That color on the top had me from the go, and I really enjoy the building of the recipe through making the ragu and the bechamel, it feels so rewarding when you take that first bite and it’s absolutely delicious.

  3. 5 stars
    This whole recipe looks like pure perfection! I’ve never seen a Greek dish like this but I’m impressed!

  4. 5 stars
    I must admit, I never had pastitsio before, but I love every single ingredient and flavour you’ve got there! Looks like a very satisfying and delicious dish, perfect for any gathering with friends or family.

  5. The perfect family meal. This was the first pastitsio recipe i made and my family absolutely loved it. It’ll be going into the weekly routine.

  6. 5 stars
    We have a few similar pasta bakes in Italy and they are total comfort foods. This pastitsio looks wonderful, from the top to the inside texture. It is one of those dishes that require to spend some time in the kitchen but they are incredibly rewarding!

  7. 5 stars
    I have made a lot of pastitsio over the years from a recipe given to me by the owner of a NYC Greek diner, your recipe blew me away. It’s absolutely delicious and authentic. I love the results.

  8. Yum, this looks like total comfort! I love a good pasta bake but have never tried a Greek version. Can’t wait to make this.

  9. 4 stars
    Thanks for your site. My husband is Greek, so, I have been making Greek food, for many years. Your recipe, for, pastitsio, is a little different but very good when I make Greek, I make a good bit because my family is always asking for it.

    1. Hi Susan,

      Thank you so much for enjoying the site! Every Greek family has its own version of classic recipes. There are also differences in recipes depending on the region. I am an intuitive cook and love to make recipes mine. My mom was from Crete so I am heavily influenced by Cretan cooking. My grandma from my dad’s side was from Constantinople and was an amazing cook with flavors we in Greece call Politiki kouzina. Thanks again for checking us out! x Jenny