We have all heard of lasagna, maybe probably the most basic of all Italian pasta dishes. With its seemingly infinite layers of pasta, meat, and creamy béchamel, it is a staple on the menu of any Italian restaurant. Nonetheless, you may not have come throughout lasagna’s Greek cousin, so allow us to introduce you. Pastichio is the Greek reply to lasagna, a preferred dish that may be dated again to the Nineteen Twenties within the kind that we at the moment understand it, due to famed Greek chef Nikolaos Tselementes.

This extremely comforting Greek pastichio recipe from the kitchen of recipe developer Jennine Rye could take some time to assemble however — very similar to lasagna — is effectively definitely worth the effort. Hearty and filling, this dish includes three fundamental layers. The bottom is made utilizing bucatini pasta, a particular sort of spaghetti that has a gap by way of the middle that makes it hole. On high of that is the meat layer, a wealthy floor beef ragù that’s flavored with crimson wine and Mediterranean herbs and spices. The meat layer is smothered with a basic béchamel sauce after which topped with a combination of Parmesan and feta for a scrumptious tacky end. An ideal dinner choice for pasta lovers, this pastichio recipe is an actual crowd pleaser and a fantastic different to its Italian counterpart.

To start this extremely comforting Greek pastichio recipe, you’ll first want to collect the substances. For the meat layer, you want olive oil, an onion, garlic, floor beef, crimson wine, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, and beef inventory. So as to add heaps of taste, additionally, you will want dried oregano, floor cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, a bay leaf, salt, and pepper. For the pasta layer, you want bucatini pasta, an egg, grated Parmesan, and butter. For the béchamel sauce, you will want butter, flour, entire milk, nutmeg, and eggs. Lastly, to complete off the pastichio, you want Parmesan and feta to sprinkle on the highest.

Warmth the olive oil in a big, deep pan to a medium temperature.

Saute the onion and garlic for five to six minutes, till softened.

Add the bottom beef, season effectively with salt and pepper, and brown.

Add the oregano, cinnamon, floor nutmeg and floor cloves to the pan.

Add the crimson wine, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, bay leaf, and beef inventory.

Stir effectively, season with salt and pepper, after which go away to simmer for 40 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Generously butter a baking dish.

Convey a big pan of salted water to a boil.

Cook dinner the bucatini till al dente, a couple of minutes lower than what the bundle directions name for.

Combine an egg and grated Parmesan into the pasta.

Lay the pasta out on the backside of the ready, buttered baking dish, and put aside.

For the béchamel sauce, add the butter to a big saucepan over a medium warmth.

As soon as the butter has melted, whisk within the flour.

Add the milk in increments, whisking repeatedly, till it has all been integrated.

As soon as the sauce has thickened, add a beneficiant pinch of nutmeg.

Take away the béchamel from the warmth and rapidly whisk within the 2 eggs.

Take away the meat sauce from the warmth and discard the bay leaf.

To assemble the pastichio, layer the meat sauce over the pasta within the baking dish.

Pour the béchamel sauce over the meat layer, spreading it out in order that it touches the sides of the baking dish.

Prime the béchamel with the crumbled feta and the remaining Parmesan.

Bake within the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, till the highest is golden.

Most residence cooks can most likely prepare dinner up a basic lasagna whereas carrying a blindfold, and even kitchen novices know what to anticipate in the case of the favored Italian dish: sheets of pasta interspersed with a wealthy beef ragù and a creamy béchamel sauce with a tacky topping. It is a factor of magnificence. So, what’s the distinction between lasagna and a pastichio? Each are layered pasta dishes that contain beef ragù and béchamel. Nonetheless, there are many variations between the 2 dishes.

Whereas lasagna makes use of flat sheets of pasta, pastichio makes use of a particular sort of pasta that’s lengthy and hole, generally known as Greek bucatini. That is typically par boiled after which combined with eggs and cheese earlier than being laid out to kind the bottom of the dish. Whereas lasagna repeats its layers, a pastichio has one thick layer for every aspect — first the pasta, then the meat, and at last the béchamel. 

These aren’t the one variations, although. There are much more Mediterranean spices in a pastichio. For instance, the meat ragù is cooked with spices typically present in Greek cooking, corresponding to cinnamon and cloves, each of which would not be present in a lasagna. Additionally, the cheeses included within the dish are normally of Greek origin — feta and likewise kefalotyri. These variations could appear small, however they go a great distance in making lasagna and pastichio distinct and scrumptious dishes.

This Greek pastichio recipe is an entire meal unto itself and can go away you feeling full and glad. Nonetheless, if you wish to add some aspect dishes to enhance the flavors of the pastichio and bask in Greek delicacies, there are many nice choices for you. A easy, horiatiki-style Greek salad will make a fantastic accompaniment, including zesty freshness and chopping by way of the richness of the pastichio. A easy aspect salad of inexperienced leaves may even work effectively for this goal, including coloration and lightness to the meal. 

One other easy addition that you may take into account is serving up the pastichio with slices of crusty bread. Or, if you wish to maintain it Greek, mop up the scrumptious sauce with some toasted pita bread or flatbread. Lemon roasted potatoes are a basic Greek aspect dish, or you could possibly go for some easy steamed or roasted veggies for added vitamins and coloration. When you actually need to splash out and make an impression, why not prepare dinner up your individual stuffed grape leaves with this recipe from Rye?