Pastitsio: A Must-Try Scrumptious Baked Pasta Dish From Greece

It’s not only Italy that brings us some of the best pasta dishes known in the world. Greece is also in the race of delivering us palatable pasta dishes. Did you know that pasta is one of the essential ingredients used in Greek cuisine along with cheese, olive oil, and herbs? One of the most popular pasta-based Greek dishes that is applauded all over the world for its scrumptious taste is Pastitsio. Pastitsio is a ubiquitous baked pasta dish from Greece that is prepared with two primary ingredients that include ground meat and bechamel sauce. It is a multi-layered dish infused with lots of spices, cheese, herbs and tossed in olive oil before baking.

This Greek baked pasta dish took its name from an Italian word ‘Pasticcio’ which means any kind of pie or pastry. Pastitsio is said to have originated in the early 20th century. Since its discovery, it has gained immense popularity worldwide. Different countries have come up with innumerable ways, unique variations, and styles of making pastitsio. In fact in its homeland, you can find pastitsio being served in more than one variation. One of the most contemporary variants of pastitsio was invented by a notable Greek chef known by the name, Nikolaos Tselementes.

It was his recipe and brilliance that completely changed the dish that helped enhance its taste and made it glow with uniqueness. Today, it's the Tselementes version which is ubiquitous among people from all over the world. The Tselementes version calls for a bottom layer of tubular pasta, the middle layer of ground beef or pork, and a final top layer of bechamel sauce. Pastitsio is commonly served as a main course with a salad.

So, elevate your list of pasta dishes and try this Greek baked pasta that will surely tickle your taste buds. Tap here to know the full recipe for pastitsio.