Greek Pasta Casserole Recipes

GREEK PASTITSIO RECIPE (GREEK LASAGNA WITH BéCHAMEL)

Steps:

• To prepare this traditional pastitsio recipe (pastichio), start with the meat sauce. Place a large pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, the chopped onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste and the beef. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and brown for 4-5 minutes. Pour in the red wine and wait to evaporate. Add the canned tomatoes, the sugar, cinnamon, clove, the bay leaf and season. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down and simmer with the lid on for about 30 minutes, until most of the juices have evaporated. (After the meat is cooked, discard the bay leaf, the clove and the cinnamon)
• Prepare the bechamel sauce for the pastitsio. Melt the butter in a large pan over low-medium heat. Add the flour whisking continuously to make a paste. Add warmed milk in small batches, whisking continuously in order to prevent your sauce from getting lumpy. If the sauce still needs to thicken, boil over low heat whilst continuing to stir. Remove the pan from the stove and add the egg yolks, salt, pepper, a pinch of nutmeg and the grated cheese (50g/ 1.7oz.). Whisk quickly, in order to prevent the eggs from turning an omelette! Season with salt to taste.
• Cook the pasta for the pastitsio 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions, so that they don't get mushy after turning out of the oven later. Drain the pasta and stir in the egg whites and the feta cheese (smashed with a fork) and mix gently with a spatula.
• For this pastitsio recipe you will need a large baking dish, approx. 25*35 cm / 10*14 inch. Butter the bottom and sides of a pan and assemble the pastitsio. Layer the pasta, top with the meat sauce and even out. Top the pastitsio with the bechamel sauce and smooth out with a spatula.
• Sprinkle the pastichio with grated cheese and bake in preheated oven at 180C (350F) Fan for about 40 minutes, until crust turns a light golden brown. Let the pastitsio cool down for a while before serving.

GREEK PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Plunge whole tomatoes in water briefly, until skin starts to peel. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in cold water. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• While pasta is cooking peel blanched tomatoes and chop.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Stir in garlic and mushrooms and saute until mushrooms begin to give up their juices. Stir in tomatoes and oregano and cook until tomatoes are tender.
• To serve, plate pasta, top with hot tomato sauce and sprinkle with feta and olives.

PASTITSIO (GREEK BAKED PASTA WITH CINNAMON AND TOMATOES)

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Add the lamb, breaking up the meat with a spatula or wooden spoon, and cook until the moisture has evaporated and the meat is browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the oregano, thyme and cinnamon, and season with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the crushed and diced tomatoes and their juices and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld, 20 to 25 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Start the béchamel: In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer over medium. Make the roux: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low. Whisk the flour into the butter until a smooth, golden paste forms, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk the warmed milk into the roux and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce is smooth and thick, about 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the nutmeg and 1 cup cheese, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Once the water boils, cook the pasta according to package instructions until 2 minutes short of al dente (the pasta will finish cooking in the oven). Drain and transfer it to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Drizzle with 1/2 cup béchamel and carefully stir in 2 cups meat sauce. Spoon the remaining meat sauce on top, then drizzle evenly with the remaining béchamel. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup cheese.
• Place dish on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake until the top is golden and begins to bubble, about 25 to 30 minutes. Allow the pasta to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

PASTITSIO RECIPE (GREEK PASTA BAKE)

Steps:

• Make the meat sauce: Heat a deep pan over high heat and add the oil and the minced beef. Let it brown, without stirring, and when the meat is no longer red, stir with a wooden spatula and break any meat lumps. Cook until all the juices have evaporated, reduce heat to medium/high and add the onion the carrot, the bay leaves, the cinnamon stick, the allspice and the cloves. Stir for 5 minutes and add the wine. Wait for 1 minute for the alcohol to evaporate and add the tomato paste, the pureed tomatoes, the sugar, the salt and the pepper. When it starts to boil again, reduce heat to low and simmer until almost all of the liquids have evaporated (about 30 minutes). Remove and discard the bay leaves and the cinnamon stick.
• In the meantime, make the pasta: Cook the pasta in a pot with salted water, until al dente, according to the packaging directions.
• Drain the pasta well, mix in the grated cheese and transfer about two-thirds of the pasta to the casserole dish. Level with a spoon and cover with the meat sauce. Level the meat sauce with the back of a spoon and spread the rest of the pasta uniformly over the meat.
• Preheat your oven to 374°F (190°C)
• Make the béchamel sauce: Cook the flour with the oil in a large pot stirring continuously with a whisk until it starts to smell nutty. Remove from the heat and add the cinnamon, the nutmeg, and the salt. Whisk to combine and add the warm milk gradually, whisking constantly to prevent it from forming any lumps. At first it will thicken, but as you continue to add the milk it will loosen up. When all the milk is added, return to the stove and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens. When it starts to bubble, remove from the heat and let it sit on your counter for 5 minutes to cool a little. Add 1 cup of the grated cheese and the eggs and whisk quickly to combine.
• Pour the béchamel sauce over the pasta, level with a spatula and sprinkle the surface with the remaining grated cheese.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the top is golden brown with dark spots all over the surface. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing for easier serving. Eat!

PASTITSIO (GREEK PASTA CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a sautéing pan and sauté the onion untiltranslucent. Add the garlic and mix for a few seconds.
• Add the ground meat and sauté, stirring, until no longer pink. Deglaze with the wine and mix for 3 - 4 minutes until the alcohol evaporates.While mixing, add salt, pepper, cinnamon, allspice berries, bay leaf and tomatoes and cook over moderate heat for about 15 minutes or until the sauce reduces.
• Remove from the heat and discard the cinnamon, bay leaf and allspice berries, if used whole.
• Mix in parsley and set aside. When the béchamel is ready add a couple of tablespoons in the meat sauce and mix.
• Meantime, bring water to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta al dente, according to the package instructions. Remove from the heat and cool the pasta under running water. Drain, and wet the pasta with the olive oil. When ready to use, beat the egg whites and add it to the pasta, together with the cheese and mix. You can also add a couple tablespoon of bechamel.
• Prepare the béchamel: Before starting, heat the milk and beat the eggs.
• In a saucepan heat the olive oil and add the flour, salt and nutmeg and mix thoroughly using a whisk, until it starts to slightly brown and release its aroma.
• Remove from the heat and add the warm milk, stirring constantly.
• Add the whisked eggs gradually and put back on the heat. Continue, mixing until the sauce becomes thick and creamy. Add half of the cheese and mix.
• Layer half of the pasta in a 35 x 30 cm / 14 x 12 inches baking tin.
• Pour the ground meat on top and spread it to cover the pasta.
• Add the remaining pasta on top and add the béchamel sauce to cover the pasta.
• Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and sprinkle some nutmeg or cinnamon on top.
• Bake in a preheated oven to 180o C / 350o F or 160o C / 325oF for convection ovens, for about 45 minutes or until golden on top.
• Let it cool before cutting into portions

GREEK PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef and lamb over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and thyme. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Stir in sugar and cinnamon. Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes longer., Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions; drain. Stir into meat mixture. , Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Cover and bake at 325° for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 325°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.,

CONTEST-WINNING GREEK PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, tomato sauce, tomatoes, spinach, olives, onion, green pepper, basil and oregano. , Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake, uncovered, at 400° until heated through and cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle with oregano or basil. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 400°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

GREEK CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until tender yet firm to the bit, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; add artichoke hearts, tomato, feta cheese, parsley, lemon juice, oregano, and cooked pasta. Cook and stir until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with lemon wedges.

GREEK PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large pot, brown ground beef until cooked through and juiced run clear.
• Add onion, garlic, oregano, basil, pepper and thyme. Cook over medium heat for two minutes.
• Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, lemon juice and sugar and stir in. Bring mixture to a boil and reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
• Stir in pasta and ¾ cup feta cheese.
• Place in a 9x13 inch casserole dish and garnish with ¼ cup feta cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.

MOUSSAKA - GREEK CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Potatoes:.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Toss the potatoes with the olive oil in a large bowl.
• Put them in a single layer on a baking sheet and season to taste.
• Roast until soft and starting to brown, about 35 minutes.
• Béchamel Sauce:.
• In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add flour and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes until it starts bubbling but does not color.
• Gradually whisk in the hot milk.
• Continue whisking for about 6 to 8 minutes until it thickens.
• Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Put the eggs in a large bowl.
• Whisk the béchamel sauce into the eggs.
• Continue whisking for a few minutes until the béchamel has cooled slightly (enough so that the eggs won't curdle).
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
• Make sure to place wrap directly on the surface of the sauce so a skin does not form.
• Set aside.
• Lamb:.
• Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
• Add lamb and sauté until cooked through, breaking up with back of spoon, about 6 minutes.
• Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 6 minutes.
• Add wine, cayenne pepper, and oregano and cook 2 minutes.
• Stir in cinnamon, tomatoes, tomato paste and nutmeg.
• Reduce heat to medium.
• Cover and simmer until sauce is very thick and reduced to about 6 cups, stirring occasionally, about 60-70 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, preheat the grill on medium-high heat.
• Brush the eggplant slices with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill until cooked through and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
• Set aside.
• To Assemble:.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Coat a 14x10x2-inch glass baking dish with oil.
• Arrange potatoes in bottom of dish.
• Arrange half of eggplant slices over potatoes.
• Pour half of lamb sauce over.
• Arrange another layer of eggplant slices on top.
• Pour remaining sauce over.
• Pour béchamel sauce over moussaka, covering completely.
• Bake moussaka uncovered until bubbling around edges, about 1 hour or until topping is softly set and browned.
• Transfer baking dish to rack and let rest 20 minutes before slicing.

GREEK PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix ricotta, egg, garlic powder, oregano, onion flakes, 4oz feta and mozzarella in a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl, mix beef, tomatoes, olives, 1.5 cups marinara sauce and pasta.
• Grease the largest casserole dish you've got. . LOL. . .you can do a 9x13 and a pie plate or two 8x8s, whatever you choose. In each casserole dish, layer pasta mixture, then top with some of the cheese mixture, then more pasta mixture and more cheese mixture.
• Top with 1/2 cup (or more) marinara sauce and bake for 30-35 min, or until hot& bubbly.

GREEK NOODLE CASSEROLE (PASTITSIO)

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the noodles until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the lamb, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and mint. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• For the sauce: Simmer the milk and cream over medium heat in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the yogurt.
• Add the meat sauce to the pasta and toss well until the noodles are coated. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Spoon the cheese sauce evenly on top and bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped mint if using, and serve.

GREEK PASTA CASSEROLE "PASTICHIO"

Steps:

• 1. In a large saucepan heat 3 Tbsp evoo and saute onions until translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add the ground beef. Break up any large lumps with a wooden spoon and brown for about 4-5 minutes. Add crushed tomatos ( pouch with cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and peppercorns) salt and pepper. Lower heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, until liquid is absorbd and meat is cooked. Remove pan from heat and let cool slightly. Remove pouch with spieces.
• 2. While the meat is simmering, boil the pasta in salted water, till almost aldente ( it will cook further in the oven). Drain and rinch in cold wated to stop cooking. Drain again and toss with graded kefalotiri cheese.
• 3. Pre-heat over 350*F (180*C). Lightly grease a large baking pan or pyrex dish ( mine in picture is ). First layer: Spread half of pasta on bottom of dish, trying to place pasta all in one direction ( this is really only for presentation reasons when you cut into portions) Second layer: Pour in the meat sauce spreading evenly over the pasta. Third layer: Spread remaining pasta.
• 4. Besamel sauce: In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter ( careful it doesn't burn). Add the flour and sourte flour for a couple of minutes. Scrape any flour that is on the sides of the pot so it doesn't burn. Add the milk in small baches whisking with every addition, so no lumps form in the mixture. Whisk constantly till Besamel becomes nice and creamy. When ready remove from heat and add the eggs, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and grated kefalotiri cheese.Whisk till incorporated thoroughly.
• 5. Pour the Besamel sauce and evenly spread over the ground beef. Sprinkle with some grated kefalotiri cheese. Last you can also add some small cubes of butter.
• 6. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the Besamel becomes golden brown. Remove from oven and let rest for about 15 minutes before cutting into large square. Kali Orexi ( Have a good appertite)
• 7. NOTE: #1 Pastitsio is layerd as in recipe or all pasta at the bottom, meat sauce and Besamel on top (3 Layers) it's a matter of the cooks prefference #2 If you can't find kefalotiri or kefalograviera you substitute with Romano cheese. But try to find a kefalotiri as it makes a significant differnce. #3 Enclose cinnamon sticks, gloves and peppercorns in small pouch as it will be easier to removes after meat has been cooked.