Scrummy Lane

Quick & easy family friendly recipes

  • Home
  • About & contact
    • Privacy policy for Scrummy Lane
  • Recipe Index
  • Easy dinners
  • Easy desserts
  • Greek recipes
    • Easy Moussaka
    • Easy Chicken Gyros
    • Best Greek Salad
  • Subscribe

Home » Greek » Cheat’s Greek pastitsio (with a yoghurt topping)

Cheat’s Greek pastitsio (with a yoghurt topping)

Posted Mar 19, 2015 | Updated Mar 18, 2020 by Helen | 42 Comments |

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

  • Facebook7
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Greek pastitsio with a piece taken out of it

Pastitsio is in most Greek households’ every day meal rotation, but I find it can be a bit of a ‘chore’ to eat (and make!) Not this easy peasy version with a simple yoghurt-y topping, though!

Cheat's pastitsio with a yoghurt topping

This is probably not the way I really want to start off this post to best sell this meal to you. But I’m going to anyway. 😉

Up until now, I’ve never really been a fan of pastitsio. If you’re not even sure what pastitsio is, as I wasn’t before I went to live in Greece (yes, another Greek meal, but no apologies, as usual!) it’s basically a pasta bake made with beef or lamb mince and long tube-shaped pasta and topped with a thick soufflé-like béchamel sauce.

Sounds delicious, right? Well, it is, but only if made in a certain way. Many of the versions I tried in Greece were good, but a bit too heavy on the carbs. There was a thick layer of pasta, topped with a thick layer of fairly dry meat, and then all that heaviness was topped with another heavy layer of béchamel. Hmmm … not quite my cup of tea.

Cheat's pastitsio with a yoghurt topping

Ingredients

But this version I can live with. The meat sauce is a tasty, juicy bolognese sauce with:

  • tomato puree
  • wine
  • beef stock
  • mushrooms (just because)
  • loads of tasty herbs and spices – I used dried oregano and thyme and fresh parsley, just because that’s what was hanging out in my cupboard, but rosemary or basil or just dried mixed herbs would work just as well.
  • cinnamon – because that’s what the Greeks always add to their meat sauce
  • mixed spice with nutmeg and clove

In all honesty, though, you could miss out the spices if you like. You could even use your own favourite spag bol sauce in this recipe if you prefer. In a pinch you could even use a jar of bought Bolognese sauce if you’re short on time (you need about 4 cups).

Actually, next time I make this, I’ll make double the amount of sauce, because it would be great to freeze some for a lasagna or moussaka, or even just for a classic spag bol.

Cheat's pastitsio with a yoghurt topping

How to make pastitsio

All you do is simmer your sauce for about half an hour, boil up your pasta (I just used penne), mix the pasta into the sauce, then pour over an easier version of ‘béchamel’ made out of Greek yoghurt, eggs and parmesan cheese and bake.

I also make this when I make a moussaka (like this easy skinny chicken moussaka) – it’s so much quicker and easier than the classic roux-based version!

How to serve it

This is fabulous with a simple green salad.

The best thing is that this recipe makes enough for six whole portions. Enough to have some for dinner and freeze some for another time.

Cheat's pastitsio with a yoghurt topping

More favorite Greek dinners

  • This Greek lamb with lemony garlic potatoes is highly recommended if you’re looking to impress!
  • This Baked Greek chicken and potatoes has come to my rescue time after time. It’s so easy – not to mention delicious served with a big Greek salad.
  • These Greek stuffed peppers and tomatoes (gemista) are pretty epic. You have to try them to find out why!
  • Greek oven baked fish (your new favourite way to cook fish!)
  • This baked Greek chicken orzo is a tasty and super easy one pot meal everyone will love.
  • I love this vegetarian option – a One pan Greek couscous with halloumi.

Or if you’re just enjoying the whole Greek food vibe in this post, you might like to check out my Greek recipes archives!

IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, LET ME KNOW HOW YOU GET ON BY LEAVING A COMMENT AND RATING BELOW… AND DON’T FORGET TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALL MY NEW RECIPES BY EMAIL!

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST AND YOUTUBE.

Cheat’s pastitsio (with a yoghurt topping)

Pastitsio is a delicious Greek every day meal staple, but it can sometimes be a bit heavy and too full of carbs – not to mention a bit of a pain to make. But this version is not only delicious, but sooo easy to make. Just whip up a simple and flavourful bolognese sauce, mix with penne pasta and top with a yoghurt, egg and parmesan topping. Yum!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 5 mins
Cuisine Greek
Servings (click to change) 6
Author Helen

Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)

cups/ounces – grams/ml

For the easy bolognese sauce

  • 1 onion chopped
  • 14 ounces minced beef or lamb
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 9 ounces mushrooms chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato puree mixed with 150ml water and a beef stock cube
  • 2/3 cup red wine
  • 14 ounce can chopped tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons dried herbs I used oregano & thyme, but mixed herbs are great, too
  • a handful of fresh chopped parsley
  • salt & pepper

the rest of the ingredients

  • 9 ounces penne ziti or macaroni
  • 1 tablespoon scant corn flour
  • 1 1/3 cup Greek yoghurt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 175C/350F. Fry the onion in a large saucepan with a drizzle of oil until translucent. Add the mince and brown for a few minutes.
  • Add the garlic, cinnamon and allspice and stir and cook for a minute. Then add the mushrooms, tomato puree/water/stock, wine, chopped tomatoes and dried herbs.
  • Bring the mixture to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for about 30 to 35 minutes until you have a rich sauce.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet and drain. Also prepare the topping by whisking the eggs and about half the parmesan into the yoghurt and corn flour in a medium bowl.
  • When the sauce is done, tip the pasta into it and mix well. Stir through the parsley and season well. Tip the pasta and sauce into a medium baking dish.
  • Pour the yoghurt topping evenly over the top of the meat and pasta. Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden on the top.

Notes

Substitutions

Feel free to miss the spices out of the Bolognese sauce if you prefer, although I think it would be a shame!
Try adding chopped eggplant/aubergine to your sauce instead of mushrooms. Add it with your onion at the beginning, though.

How to serve your pastitsio

This is great served with a simple green salad drizzled with a tiny bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 24gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 298mgPotassium: 658mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 310IUVitamin C: 10.1mgCalcium: 186mgIron: 5.3mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know if you liked it!

Comments

  1. Michele says

    02 Oct 20 at 2:07 pm

    5 stars
    I love pastitsio and your recipe looks so fabulous! Quick question…What is corn flour? I am from the U.S. and I have corn starch and corn meal. I’m assuming it is corn starch but wanted to be sure. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      03 Oct 20 at 12:21 pm

      Hello Michele! I hope I’m replying in time! Corn flour is indeed corn starch! Corn flour is just the UK way to say it. I hope you enjoy it! If you prefer you can top your pastitsio with regular bechamel sauce. You can find that recipe here: https://scrummylane.com/easy-moussaka/ This recipe is also very delicious!

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Don't expect to find anything fussy or complicated here. Just QUICK, EASY & (mostly!) HEALTHY recipes from the Mediterranean and beyond. ENJOY! READ MORE >>


Reader favorites

The inside of a fluffy Greek yogurt blueberry muffin on a paper liner and dark background with a light blue tea towel in front and more muffins and milk in the background.

Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins (Low Sugar Recipe)

A souffle dish of easy 'magic' lemon pudding from above with a spoon in it on a marble background with lemons and a blue striped tea towel.

Easy Magic Lemon Pudding (5 ingredients, no eggs)

A stack of halloumi fries on brown paper and a blue marble platter with dips to the side

The BEST Crispy Halloumi Fries (+ Air Fryer Option)

Someone lifting a piece of crustless quiche out of a white dish

The very best crustless quiche (impossible quiche!)

A close-up of a piece of 6-ingredient gooey Swedish chocolate cake or kladdkaka with a fork on baking paper.

6-ingredient gooey Swedish chocolate cake (kladdkaka)

A white dish of cooked Greek potatoes with fresh herbs on top with a spoon in it and with a blue tea towel and baking dish in the background.

The best Greek potatoes (with a video)

Popular now

Someone serving themselves from a dish of crispy brussels sprouts with tahini sauce and almonds

Crispy brussels sprouts with tahini sauce and almonds

Closeup overhead shot of a bowl of instant pot tomato soup with a spoon in and fresh basil on top and with fresh basil in the top left corner.

30-Minute Instant Pot Tomato Soup (With Stovetop Version!)

A top view of some gingerbread muffins with salted caramel icing on a decorative plate

Gingerbread Muffins With Salted Caramel Icing

A mason jar full of dried orange slices with a black bow around it and brown label on a blue table top and with oranges and a white wall in the background

Dried Orange Slices (+ 10 Ways To Use Them)

More seasonal recipes

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Posts may contain affiliate links.

Copyright ©2023, Scrummy Lane. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Design by Pixel Me Designs