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Pastitsio Greek lasagne

Authentic Cypriot Pastitsio

Rosanna Stevens
A Greek Cypriot dish made from layered pork mince, pasta and a cheesy white sauce
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour
resting time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 people
Calories 691 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

Pork

  • 700 grams (3 cups) pork mince (with minimum 10% fat)
  • 1 white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon parsley
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 large tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoon tomato puree
  • 100 ml (3.3 floz) red wine
  • 150 ml (5 floz) chicken stock

White sauce

  • 1 litre (35 floz) whole milk
  • 100 grams (3.5 oz) butter
  • 100 grams (3.5 oz) plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • large eggs
  • 75 grams (2.65 oz) halloumi
  • 50 grams (1.75 oz) hard goat cheese

Pasta

  • 350 grams (3.3 cups) macaroni
  • ½ large egg
  • 25 grams (1 oz) halloumi
  • 25 grams (1 oz) hard goat cheese

Instructions
 

Prep

  • Dice the onion and garlic.
  • Grate the cheeses or cut them into small cubes.
  • Beat the eggs.

Pork mince layer

  • Soften the onion and garlic in oil in a casserole pot, before adding the pork mince.
  • Once it is browned, stir through the cinnamon powder and the wine and allow that to cook down for 5-10 minutes.
  • Then add the tomatoes and the tomato puree, stock, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, parsley and oregano. Bring to a simmer and leave for 45 minutes until most of the liquid has been absorbed. 

Pasta

  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta al dente by taking one minute off the cooking time listed on the packet.
  • Drain and rinse with cold water to cool before stirring through half a beaten egg and a handful of the grated cheeses.

White sauce

  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan and then stir in the flour bit by bit, to make a thick paste or roux.
  • Now, briskly stir in your milk to avoid any lumps.
  • Grate over the nutmeg and turn up the heat, stirring continuously as the sauce thickens. It will take time, but keep stirring.  
  • The sauce will suddenly start to thicken, and once it feels heavier to stir and plateaus, turn off the heat.
  • Add the remaining egg but stir them in very quickly so that they don't scramble. 
  • Stir through the remaining grated cheese, and season with salt and pepper.

Assembly

  • Preheat the oven to 160C / 320F
  • In your lasagne dish, spread a layer of the pork mince along the bottom.
  • Add a layer of pasta over the top, then a layer of white sauce.
  • Repeat another layer, making sure the top is completely covered in the white sauce.
  • Bake in the oven for one hour until the top is golden and bubbling
  • Leave to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 691kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 34gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 327mgPotassium: 642mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 156IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 261mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Pastitsio
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