Easy Greek Pastitsio with Fluffy Béchamel

This easy Greek pastitsio is everything comfort food should be: rich meat sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and a light, fluffy béchamel that bakes into a golden, creamy topping. It’s a simplified, fail-proof version of the classic Greek baked pasta — ideal for family dinners, holidays, and meal prep.

Easy Greek Pastitsio with Fluffy Béchamel

Recipe by George Zolis

5.0 from 2 votes

Course: Main DishCuisine: GreekDifficulty: Medium

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

40

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

Calories

585

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

40

minutes

Classic Greek pastitsio made easy, with tender pasta, savory beef sauce, and a fluffy béchamel topping. A comforting baked pasta dish perfect for family meals and special occasions.

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Ingredients

Metric US

• For the Pasta

• 500 g 1 lb Pasta no2 (Bucatini or penne)

• 1 1/2 tbsp 1 1/2 tbsp Salt

• 50 g 3 1/2 tbsp Butter

• 3 liters 12 1/2 cup Water

• For the Meat Sauce

• 750 g 1.65 lb Ground Beef

• 1 1 Onion, finely chopped

• 3 3 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped

• A little Fresh Parsley, finely chopped

• 250 g 1 cup Tomato Juice

• 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Tomato Paste

• 50 g 3 1/2 tbsp Olive Oil

• 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Sugar

• 1 tsp 1 tsp Salt

• 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

• 240 ml 1 cup Water

• For the Béchamel

• 200 g 7 oz Graviera Cheese, grated

• 1 liter 4 1/4 cup Whole Milk

• 100 g 7 tbsp Butter

• 2 2 Egg Yolks

• 150 g 1 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour

• Nutmeg, freshly grated

• Salt & Pepper

• For Assembly

• 200 g 7 oz Grated Graviera or melting cheese

• Small pieces of Butter for topping

How to make Greek Pastitsio

• Cook the Pastaq
• Bring 3 liters of water to a boil.
• Add salt and pasta; cook according to package instructions.
• Drain the pasta, return it to the pot, add butter, and mix until coated.
• Prepare the Meat Sauce
• Place milk, egg yolks, butter, and flour in a saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until thick.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove from heat; stir in grated graviera.
• Add nutmeg and mix well.
• Assemble & Bake
• Spread pasta evenly in a baking dish.
• Sprinkle with half the grated cheese.
• Add the meat sauce and gently shake the dish so it settles between the pasta.
• Spread béchamel evenly on top.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese and dot with butter.
• Bake at 200°C / 400°F for 60 minutes, until golden.

Recipe video

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Greek Pastitsio: The Ultimate Comfort Dish

What Makes Pastitsio So Special

Greek pastitsio is often described as Greece’s answer to lasagna, but its flavor and texture are entirely unique. Instead of layered sheets, it uses pasta, a lightly sweet tomato-based meat sauce, and a thick yet airy béchamel that sets beautifully in the oven.

Why This Easy Version Works

This recipe skips unnecessary steps while preserving everything that makes pastitsio irresistible. The meat sauce is rich but not heavy, the pasta stays tender, and the béchamel remains fluffy thanks to egg yolks and proper whisking.

Perfect for Meal Prep & Gatherings

Pastitsio is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day. It slices cleanly, reheats beautifully, and feeds a crowd — making it ideal for holidays, Sunday dinners, and freezer meals.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Greek village salad
• Steamed greens with lemon
• Crusty bread

This easy Greek pastitsio with fluffy béchamel is guaranteed to become a staple in your recipe collection.