Beef Pastitsio Casserole

Recipe Collection: Dinner

Beef Pastitsio Casserole brings the rich flavors of Greece to your table with a comforting, non-vegetarian dish. This casserole layers tender ground beef, a creamy sauce, and macaroni, making it perfect for family gatherings. With gluten, dairy, and egg components, it’s a hearty option for those who enjoy traditional Greek cuisine.

The flavor profile is a delightful blend of spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, making it versatile for any occasion—serve it as a main dish or alongside a fresh salad. Easily find this recipe in your EasyChef Pro cookbook, complete with a convenient shopping list feature for the best cost per serving. Get started on your meal prep today with EasyChef Pro!

Overview

Beef Pastitsio is a Greek-inspired casserole that replaces the traditional lamb with ground beef. This hearty dish features layers of seasoned meat, macaroni, and a creamy sauce, all baked to golden perfection.

Diet Type

Non-Vegetarian

Allergies

Dairy, Eggs, Gluten

Cuisine

Greek

Serving Size: 15

Cooking Time: 250 minutes

Ingredients

• Meat Layer:
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 Whole onion, minced
• 3 Pounds lean ground beef
• 0.75 Cups water
• 6 Ounces tomato paste
• 2 Tablespoons allspice, ground
• 1.5 Teaspoons salt
• 1 Teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• 1 Teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 0.25 Teaspoon pepper
• 2 Large eggs, whisked
• Macaroni Layer:
• 1 Pound macaroni
• 2 Large eggs, whisked
• 1 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 Cup butter, melted
• Cream Sauce Layer:
• 4 Large eggs, whisked
• 0.75 Cups half-and-half
• 1 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 0.5 Teaspoon salt
• 1 Pinch nutmeg, ground, to taste

Steps

1. Prepare the Meat Layer:
   • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes.
   • Add ground beef and cook until crumbly and no longer pink.
   • Stir in water and tomato paste. Season with allspice, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper.
   • Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, adjust salt to taste, then refrigerate until cold.
   • Once cold, remove any congealed fat, mix thoroughly with whisked eggs, and set aside.
2. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. Prepare the Macaroni Layer:
   • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
   • Mix macaroni with whisked eggs until well coated.
4. Assemble the Layers:
   • Evenly spread half of the macaroni mixture into an 11x14x2-inch baking pan.
   • Sprinkle with half of the grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle with half of the melted butter.
   • Spread the meat mixture over the macaroni, then finish with the remaining macaroni.
   • Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and melted butter.
5. Make the Cream Sauce:
   • Mix together whisked eggs with half-and-half.
   • Whisk in Parmesan cheese, flour, and salt until well blended.
6. Bake the Pastitsio:
   • Pour the cream mixture evenly over the top of the pastitsio and sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg.
   • Cover the pan with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
   • Remove the foil and bake until the top has turned golden brown, about 30 minutes.
7. Serve:
   • Remove from oven and allow to stand for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Beef Pastitsio!

Enjoy your homemade Beef Pastitsio Casserole!