Best Ina Garten Pastitsio Recipe: Rich & Easy Greek Comfort

Ina Garten’s pastitsio represents a culinary journey through mediterranean comfort food that transforms humble ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Greek home cooks have long celebrated this hearty casserole as a symbol of family gatherings and shared meals.

Layers of pasta, robust meat sauce, and silky bechamel create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Her signature approach elevates traditional techniques with subtle, refined touches that make this dish both familiar and surprising.

Complex spices weave through each component, promising a depth that goes beyond standard pasta preparations.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected ingredients build a symphony of taste that feels both rustic and elegant.

Home cooks will find this recipe an irresistible gateway to mediterranean cuisine that promises to become a cherished family favorite:

Why Ina Garten’s Pastitsio Is a Greek-Inspired Gem

• Create Layers of Flavor: This pastitsio builds incredible depth with a blend of beef and lamb, simmered in wine and aromatic spices, creating a rich and complex meat sauce that tingles your taste buds.
• Master a Classic Greek Comfort Dish: Transform your kitchen into a Mediterranean haven by crafting this traditional Greek casserole that combines tender pasta, hearty meat, and silky bechamel sauce in one spectacular baked masterpiece.
• Impress with Minimal Cooking Skills: Despite looking sophisticated, this recipe breaks down into simple steps anyone can follow, making you feel like a professional chef without requiring advanced culinary techniques.
• Weekend Cooking Project with Big Rewards: Spend a leisurely afternoon preparing this show-stopping dish that serves a crowd, provides delicious leftovers, and fills your home with an irresistible aroma that promises serious comfort food satisfaction.

Key Elements for Ina Garten Pastitsio

• Ground Beef, Ground Lamb: Rich and flavorful base for the meat sauce, choose meats with good fat content for better taste.
• Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the meat sauce, preferably a dry red wine.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic flavor to the meat mixture.
• Tomatoes: Creates a rich and hearty sauce base.

• Milk, Heavy Cream: Essential for creating smooth and creamy bechamel sauce.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create roux for bechamel sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor and creates golden crust.
• Yogurt: Helps bind bechamel and adds slight tanginess.
• Eggs: Acts as a binding agent for the bechamel sauce.

• Pasta: Serves as the main starch component of the dish, traditional Greek pasta preferred.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding flavor.
• Onions: Provides sweet and savory base for meat sauce.
• Nutmeg: Adds warm, subtle spice to bechamel sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning of the dish.
• Flour: Thickens the bechamel sauce.
• Spices: Provides additional depth and complexity to meat sauce.

Steps to Make Ina Garten Pastitsio

Step 1: Prepare Meat Sauce

• Ground beef
• Ground lamb

• Red wine
• Minced garlic
• Mixed spices
• Crushed tomatoes

Simmer the sauce for 40-45 minutes until rich and flavorful.

Step 2: Preheat Oven

Set the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.

Step 3: Create Creamy Bechamel Sauce

• Milk
• Heavy cream

• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Grated Parmesan cheese

• Beaten eggs
• Greek yogurt

Step 4: Cook Pasta

Boil pasta in a large pot until almost fully cooked (al dente). Drain and set aside.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake Pastitsio

Combine pasta with the prepared meat sauce. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Spread the bechamel sauce evenly on top. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown and bubbling. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and make cutting easier.

Pro Tips for a Comforting Pastitsio

• Lock in Meat Juices: Sear beef and lamb at high temperatures to seal flavors and create caramelized exterior.
• Prevent Sauce Wateriness: Remove excess liquid from meat mixture for concentrated, rich sauce consistency.
• Elevate Wine Complexity: Select medium-bodied red wines that complement meat's depth without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Master Smooth Bechamel: Continuously whisk milk to eliminate lumps and create velvety sauce texture.
• Balance Pasta Texture: Undercook pasta slightly before baking to maintain perfect al dente consistency.
• Create Uniform Layers: Distribute meat sauce and bechamel evenly for consistent flavor in each serving.
• Maximize Cheese Flavor: Grate Parmesan fresh for superior melting and more intense taste profile.
• Allow Proper Settling: Rest dish 10 minutes post-baking to stabilize layers and improve serving quality.
• Personalize Spice Profile: Adjust nutmeg and seasonings subtly to match individual taste preferences.

Preserving Ina Garten Pastitsio

• Freezer Method: Lock in freshness by dividing pastitsio into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor integrity.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Seal leftover pastitsio in an airtight glass container to preserve its delicate texture and rich flavors. Keep refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.
• Reheating Technique: Revive chilled or frozen pastitsio by thawing overnight in the refrigerator, then warming in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent excessive drying and ensure the creamy béchamel layer remains luscious and smooth.

Fun Variations on Ina Garten Pastitsio

• Mediterranean Veggie Delight: Replace beef and lamb with a mix of roasted eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, hearty flavor of the original dish.
• Spicy Greek-Inspired Pastitsio: Add extra red pepper flakes, fresh oregano, and swap some Parmesan with crumbled feta cheese to create a bolder, more intense Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Lean Protein Option: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and lamb, reducing the fat content while keeping the classic creamy texture and aromatic spice blend of the traditional recipe.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Plate: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and use a gluten-free flour blend in the bechamel sauce, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy this comforting Greek casserole.

Wrap-Up on Ina Garten Pastitsio

Mediterranean comfort clasps hearts with Ina Garten’s pastitsio, a Greek casserole masterpiece blending robust lamb, creamy bechamel, and tender pasta.

Complex layers whisper stories of family gatherings and cherished traditions passed through generations.

Mediterranean kitchens pulse with warmth when this classic dish emerges golden and fragrant from hot ovens.

Rich flavors dance between spiced meat and silky sauce, creating symphonic culinary experiences.

Greek grandmothers would nod with approval at such authentic preparation.

Ina Garten Pastitsio Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich Greek lasagna Pastitsio brings Mediterranean comfort to dinner tables with layers of creamy béchamel, seasoned ground beef, and tender pasta. Garten’s classic recipe promises a hearty, flavorful journey through traditional Greek culinary landscapes you’ll savor bite by delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground lamb

Dairy and Eggs:

• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ⅔ cup Greek yogurt

Other Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ cups yellow onion, chopped
• ½ cup red wine
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon, ground
• 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, fresh
• 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, grated
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• ¾ pound small shells

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Instructions

1. In a capacious saucepan, warm olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté onions until translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Incorporate ground beef and lamb, methodically fragmenting the meat with a wooden utensil. Continue cooking until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains. Eliminate excess liquids through draining.
2. Introduce red wine, minced garlic, aromatic spices, and crushed tomatoes into the meat mixture. Allow the concoction to gently simmer for 40-45 minutes, developing rich, complex flavors.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing for the final baking stage.
4. Create the béchamel sauce by gently warming milk and heavy cream in one saucepan. In a separate vessel, melt butter and whisk in flour, creating a smooth roux. Gradually incorporate the warm dairy mixture, stirring consistently until the sauce thickens luxuriously.
5. Enhance the béchamel with freshly grated nutmeg, kosher salt, black pepper, and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before blending in beaten eggs and creamy yogurt.
6. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until it reaches an al dente consistency. Carefully drain and set aside.
7. Combine the pasta with the richly developed meat sauce, transferring the mixture into a spacious baking dish. Generously spread the velvety béchamel sauce across the top, then garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the surface turns a beautiful golden brown. Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before serving, enabling the flavors to settle and the texture to stabilize.

Notes

• Freezing this dish preserves all the rich, layered flavors for up to three months, making meal planning a breeze.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for maximum taste and texture preservation.
• Authentic preparation requires patience, transforming simple ingredients into a Mediterranean masterpiece.
• Fresh, high-quality ingredients like locally sourced meats and freshly grated cheese elevate the entire dining experience.
• Serving alongside a crisp Greek salad creates a complete and satisfying meal that transports you straight to the Mediterranean coast.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 560 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg