Classic Greek Pastitsio: Pasta Tray Bake Lasagna

When I think about a dinner-party, this Greek comfort pasta bake is always part of the menu. In Greek households, pastitsio is a must-have when having guests over. The layers of pasta, meat sauce, cheese, and creamy bechamel sauce go together so well. The kids usually flock to the side of the table that this tray is sitting on and in the blink of an eye, it’s all gone.
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[@MerriToon]

My mom is from Samos, and this is exactly how she does it, but thicker. BRAVO ❤️🇬🇷

[@gingin6246]

Delicious. Add groubd Cloves and cinnamon to the meat sauce.. you'll love it

[@aaronaragon7838]

Just found this recipe by a master chef...can't wait to get started!🎸

[@leahtoussas3550]

You are amazing Dimitra, we love watching your videos. Lots of love from Australia xxx

[@519forestmonk9]

MY FAVE GREEK DISH EVER! Thanks for the recipe

[@rachaelnikkola8257]

I made this last night.....incredibly delicious and easy ! The béchamel sauce on top made it DEVINE! Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful recipes and videos!

[@chrisneverforget9117]

You are the real deal. Thanks for sharing your technique

[@shaziasheikh8782]

Made this today! Turned out great! The bechamel sauce was so creamy & custardy!! Delish!

[@DimitrasDishes]

Glad you liked it!!

[@miriammanolov9135]

First of all, thank you for your wonderful videos ❤ Second, thanks for fattening me up before the holidays 😋 Third, who did not like this video? Here's extra thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jhayneartoflife6830]

Oh my!!! This is my absolute favorite Greek Dish, so glad you just posted this one!!!!!!!😊❤ I make this all the time!!!! I use ground Lamb - so good!

[@k.v.6885]

Mmm sounds yummy

[@JRR31984]

That definitely is a TRADITIONAL GREEK Lasagna Pastitsio :) My mom did a basic lasagna and I'm telling you no one could top it :) but you definitely got more to it with the recipe for this and I'm sure your own version of lasagna also. GOD BLESS

[@PutyourtrustinAllah]

I love your food. I can eat this with my eyes😍😍. Dimitra, can you make a deconstructed version of this delicious Greek classic. May God make all your dreams come true amen.

[@ronbroomhall5181]

looks very nice! thanks for sharing, i may have to try this out myself

[@michaelgutman4910]

Looks delicious. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

[@lindanorris2455]

the avgolemono soup recipe was wonderful! i made it oh so yummy!

[@padmalyons6193]

We just went to Greek Fest this past weekend and had this… was delicious

[@tavoiaiono8102]

Nice. I love Greek pasta.

[@DimitrasDishes]

Me too!

[@tanvav]

TY sweet Dimitroula mou! Happy Thanksgiving! I'll make this. I have to use the pastas given to me from the pantry. My mom used to make the pastitsio like that.

[@poppywilliams8404]

Always ready to taste new dishes! Yummy, yum! Doing the air fryer way. Waving to you from south Georgia-land of best Peaches, boiled Peanuts, & Vidalia onions! ; )

[@dimitriusa]

I can't wait to try these peta pockets with skordalia!

[@mlersk8830]

For those wondering- I think Dimitras has said her kids don’t prefer cinnamon or cloves in it. In Greece though its traditional to have either or both in this dish and also moussaka and meat sauce that is served over pasta. Sometimes my Thea would use allspice as well. But you have to make it how your family will enjoy it most! Kali Orexi!

[@teacheme]

I make mine using penne because the proper pasta is impossible to find. I also put a layer of pasta on top of the meat sauce before covering with the cream sauce. Maybe not traditional but that's the way my yiayia used to make it.

[@marinaZrZ]

Your way, is the correct way!

[@pattallant2398]

Have you looked online for the pasta?

[@pennyk1943]

If you have a Fresh Market in your city they carry #14 or #15 spaghetti

[@evaganas7299]

Amazon

[@pbot1959]

The Greek pasta that is usually used for pastitsio is actually closer to ziti than either #14 or #15 spaghetti OR bucatini. Ziti (long, not cut) are the pasta I would recommend if you can’t find the Greek kind.

[@ted1091]

The best meal on earth. I'm with you: the bechamel is the best part.

[@robertarrington4907]

I don't know if I could make this without using kefalotyri in the Bechamel. It's what I remember from the Greek restaurants in Gary Indiana where I grew up.

[@Tom-Alberta-Canada]

Good morning from Alberta - Canada An excellent recipe with all ingredients... I am a man who loves to cook... Delicious Pastitsio for sure . Have a nice day...................Tom

[@JRR31984]

Heck yea, this is definitely like a mandatory side dish.

[@jennabaskic2799]

Im salivating

[@maggiewickwire2936]

I am so happy I found your channel. 🥰

[@DimitrasDishes]

Thanks so much for being here!!

[@bettyrogers7836]

@@DimitrasDishes NY

[@sizzlesweetie8463]

I will try! Thanks

[@DimitrasDishes]

Hope you like it!

[@poketube6224]

Very good recipe

[@TheGoodHeart1000]

Wow! This is amazing! Thank you! New sub

[@DimitrasDishes]

Welcome!

[@AriDemopoulosOnline]

Bravo Dimitra. I made pastitsio for the first time today and the bechamel sauce came out very dry and thin.. I've checked out a few channels, but yours is the best... na ise kala.. geia sou )

[@bradpeck1901]

i really want to make this one!

[@JRR31984]

Heck yea, can't go wrong with a lasagna. :D GOD BLESS

[@carolpandis6953]

I just made this today for our Christmas dinner this weekend. The house smells so fantastic, I really wanted to dig in. This is probably my third dish I’ve made of yours and just have to say I love your recipes and videos. Keep them coming!

[@gkimble90]

Happy Thanksgiving

[@beena8510]

Yummy 😋😋.

[@pbot1959]

Lovely recipe. Thanks! What Greeks refer to as “béchamel” in pastitsio recipes is actually a Mornay sauce, which is a variant on the true béchamel, which contains neither eggs nor cheese. In any case, this is one of my favourite Greek dishes and the béchamel is the crowning glory of the recipe!

[@jimkontos2595]

Pastichio is the best Greek lasagna ever my favorite dish

[@DimitrasDishes]

I agree!!! Kali Orexi!

[@jimkontos2595]

@@DimitrasDishes thanks

[@joycepiantes8383]

Love this. My Yiayia made the best.

[@DimitrasDishes]

Yiayia's food can't be beat! So comforting and full of love :)

[@susanb5058]

Oh yum this is one of my fave Greek dishes! Happy Thanksgiving Dimitra 😘💕

[@kristikutali6924]

I like your cooking I am from Albanian

[@sylviasanchez5868]

Just made this (all gluten free) tonight for Orthodox Easter tomorrow!! We’ll see what everyone thinks about it. 😉And now my kitchen is a disaster-clean up! Lol

[@francessolovieff3137]

I use cloves in my meat. Do different regions in Greece use different seasoning?

[@modernmozart813]

Excellent 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😍😍😍😍😍😍Lasagna who doesn’t like it!!

[@dimz796]

You can use the whites as a binder for the pasta while they're still hot (makes it extra rich though)

[@christinebavaro6872]

I make your recipes all the time and love them all. If I am making this for 35 people for Easter can I prepare it a day ahead and bake it on Easter? I will need to make a few trays and have so much to do on Easter Sunday already.

[@mariastasynec1532]

Yes you can :)

[@blutey]

Hi DImitra, this looks great. Is it traditionally served cold when the sauce has set (to preserve its integrity), in Greek cuisine?

[@dimmityjones4463]

No. its served warm.. You need to let it cool a little so the sauce sets. Also the sauce may look runny but it will continue to thicken as it bakes in the oven.

[@blutey]

Thanks. Although I would imagine leaving to cool for "45-60 mins" as mentioned in the video would leave it not very warm :) I used to have this at a Greek friend's house years ago with turkey leftovers at Christmas. It was always served cold but I guess that may have been because they couldn't bother to heat it up again on the 2nd day.

[@SuperSmileyd]

What cheese makes the bechamel thicker gruyere or parmesean? Thanks dimitraa

[@oneitalia2312]

Happy Thanksgiving, DimitraMou! Nice Pastitsio - one question.....Why the olive oil instead of butter in the beschemel? Thanks!

[@iwantalbuquerque7770]

It is healthier, less calories.

[@oneitalia2312]

@@iwantalbuquerque7770 I understand all about healthy, but butter has more flavor

[@user-qm8gh3eo1u]

​@@oneitalia2312whether you put oil or butter in the béchamel, it will turn out just as tasty since you put nutmeg, salt, pepper and cheese.

[@KastoriaFL]

This looks Awesome! One question, do you use Greek oregano or regular oregano??

[@DimitrasDishes]

You can use either of the two. I usually have Greek oregano on hand :)

[@roseperry7429]

You are amazing - God Bless you.

[@roseperry7429]

Love all your recipes.

[@DimitrasDishes]

Thank you! You too!

[@valeried8542]

I'm surprised there's not clove & cinnamon in the meat sauce! Does your family ever make it that way?

[@DimitrasDishes]

Yes, sometimes :) My kids won't eat it if it has cinnamon and cloves.

[@olgakavalieratos7220]

My mom used to make the meat sauce with cinnamon and cloves and allspice, she’d layer it with pasta first, then the meat sauce, then a thin layer of pasta with pecorino Romano, then the bechamel, then a thin layer of bread crumbs and little dollops of butter on top of that. That’s how I make it now, delicious!!!

[@Litsaki1000]

We make it exactly the same. Which part of Crete are you from? Only thing I do is sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top which Makes it nice and crispy 😘

[@DimitrasDishes]

I will have to try the breadcrumb idea next time. Sounds fantastic!! My family is from Chania :)

[@Litsaki1000]

Dimitra's Dishes I had a feeling you were. Cause the recipes in almost every dish I’ve watched you cook are Almost the same to how we cook( ingredients, techniques etc). My mum is from the village Pemonia (not sure if you may have heard of it) love that I found your channel. Keep up the wonderful work! 😘

[@olgakavalieratos7220]

@@DimitrasDishes my mom is from Hania also!!!

[@olgakavalieratos7220]

My mom is from Hania in Crete, and she made it with bread crumbs on top too! And cinnamon and cloves and allspice in the meat sauce, delicious!!!

[@eleniadamopoulos8103]

Can I prepare it and freeze it, then bake it? Would I freeze it with the bechamel on it? Does it need to thaw before baking?

[@tavoiaiono8102]

What is preheated? is the oven preheated before u heat it? I thought there is only heated or not heated.

[@LeXyStAr77]

We do the same with a teeny tiny amt of cinnamon in the meat sauce and minus parsley...and my thea does it think so i do it think.

[@trishabritish2022]

Hi...l tried this dish just yesterday. My Greek neighbors invited us over for dinner. Apparently, she adds cinnamon and pimento. What do you think? Thanks. Love all your recipes

[@HellasGD88]

Pastitsio and Lasagne both Greek dishes :-)

[@selfridgesfan7880]

Are Misko pasta sold in supermarkets in the US or only in Greek groceries ?

[@kimmccorkle5839]

I love the video and was going to make the dish tomorrow. You don't however say how much olive oil or whole milk for the bechamel sauce. Hard to make a dish without complete instructions.

[@DimitrasDishes]

All of the recipe links are in the description box that is under the video. The printable recipes are on my website. Here's the direct link:www.dimitrasdishes.com/pastitsio-greek-lasagna/

[@trishabritish2022]

Ah. . And added egg whites to pasta when tossing. Do you recommend it?

[@kouklakee]

Dimitra I’m ranking my brain because I am a Greek Vegetarian ( yep I don’t eat Lamb ) what can I replace the meat with ? Any Ideas ? Happy Thanksgiving to you and family !

[@DimitrasDishes]

I have a really good vegetarian Bolognese recipe on this channel and in my website. Use that!! It’s so delicious 😋 Happy Thanksgiving

[@user-qm8gh3eo1u]

Mushroom's

[@norvaz94]

Can you use bucatini noodles instead?

[@Addy1027]

I'm not being a hater, honestly! Just found you to be honest, but from one Greek to another can we be honest and not recommend Parmesan cheese? If not Kefalotiri can we at least recommend Pecorino? That being said, awesome recipes! Glad I found you !

[@patty-cf7jj]

I’ve seen a very similar recipe and the cook added those extra egg whites into the pasta layer.

[@888alp]

Delicioso brava 👏🏻😇💓🇦🇺🇮🇹🌹💃🏻

[@cynthiakunelis4996]

Did your aunt use Parmesan. What Greek cheese can we use. Thank you.

[@user-qm8gh3eo1u]

Kefalotiri or graviera

[@oneitalia2312]

D, do Greeks sometimes add cinnamon to pastitsio?

[@user-qm8gh3eo1u]

you can put cinnamon in the minced meat. it will smell the whole house.

[@georgannandres2471]

Did you cover it first in the oven with tin foil

[@sultanaraja6084]

Can I make the pastitsio with chicken and turkey?

[@joey2dollars181]

Where can I find the recipe and ingredients at?

[@fluffystaley7339]

I feel like eating my phone, the device in which I'm viewing this KZbin clip.

[@thewatchtowerstudy4511]

add cinnamon to the meat sauce, and a bit of the béchamel. Also stir the egg whites through the pasta, and or a bit of the béchamel so that the it sticks. You didn't do that which is why your pasta was falling apart. Final thing, put a small amount of the meat sauce on the dish first and pasta on top. Otherwise the recipe is good. I prefer to use halloumi cheese instead of parmesan to keep it authentic.

[@jdagreek]

i always use #2 macaroni not very common for me to find #3

[@kimingraham5618]

Question here What is Med or High mean...

[@DimitrasDishes]

medium high is regarding the temperature.

[@kimingraham5618]

@@DimitrasDishes first your dish recipes are great You mention to have the gauge at Med high i did not know what you meant I always thought you cook either Med or High...Lol..Thanks..

[@giannoulagray3289]

How much milk?

[@DimitrasDishes]

The printable recipe with the exact measurements is right here:www.dimitrasdishes.com/pastitsio-greek-lasagna/

[@lindanorris2455]

turn on the cc

[@mariagoumas6135]

I need closed caption for deaf pls

[@freudvibes10]

Actually, they are bucatini, lol. The same sauce is made for the moussaka, actually.

[@juliemetaxa1480]

Not explained . The amounts for the cream not explained. We make it macaroni first mince in the midle and macaroni on top then the cream. .......

[@margaretaustin1804]

my

[@FarnhamTheDrunk1]

where is the cinnamon? the whole point of this dish is the cinnamon in the meat sauce... for anyone trying to make this dish, please add cinnamon in the meat sauce to make it authentic... otherwise a great recipe!

[@petroskaneas1880]

Forget turkey , its very dry the meat . Give to the people pastitsio.this was for the former archbishop Christodoylos in an intervew his best food. Δημητρα ευχομαστε σε σενα και σε ολη σου την οικογενεια σου καλα Χριστουγεννα και ευτυχισμενος ο καινουργιος χρονος . Απο τους ορθοδοξους υμνους των Χριστουγεννων ,η γεννηση σου Χριστε ο Θεος υμων ανετειλε τω κοσμω το φως τω της γνωσεως εν αυτη γαρ οι τοις αστροις λατρευοντες υπο αστερος εδιδασκοντο σε προσκυνειν τον ηλιο της δικαιοσυνης και σε γιγνωσκειν εξ υψους ανατολης Κυριε δοξα σοι.Πολλες ευχες.

[@sophiamac9100]

Αμήν!

[@Mymusicfmw33]

No myzythra cheese? That’s all I use

[@user-qm8gh3eo1u]

Kefalotiri or graviera

[@sharonneocleous7902]

Aussie name , spaghetti pie

[@marygrech7644]

We don't t have Facebook so this is not good for r us

[@earleneshaw8019]

Could show a little more of the finished dish.and less of the chief.

[@myanhkwan]

Great recipe. Little bit too much talking and loud.

[@oksanagalbay546]

Bla -bla-bla.