Best Pasticcio Recipes

PASTICCIO

Steps:

• For the meat sauce: In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the ground beef and sear without disturbing until brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Break it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper and cook until deeply browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the Aleppo and cinnamon and stir to combine. Tie the thyme sprigs together with butcher's twine and add to the meat sauce. Deglaze with the wine, reduce by half, then stir in the crushed tomatoes and 1 cup water. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the tomatoes have begun to break down, about 30 minutes.
• For the béchamel sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and allow to melt. Whisk in the flour and allow to toast for 1 minute. Add the nutmeg and about a quarter of the milk and whisk as the mixture cooks and bubbles. Add another quarter of the milk and cook, whisking. Once the milk is incorporated, add the rest of the milk and whisk again. This will ensure a smooth bechamel sauce. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture has thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the kefalotyri cheese until melted. Whisk in the eggs and set aside.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Do not stir as you will disturb it. In order to have even layers, the pasta needs to be cooked undisturbed, with all the noodles facing the same way. Cook the pasta for 4 minutes less than the package instructions.
• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• To assemble: Brush a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with olive oil and set aside. Using tongs, remove the pasta from the pot and line the pasta evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. All the noodles should be facing the same direction. Add the melted butter and kefalotyri cheese and season with black pepper. Remove the bundle of thyme from the meat sauce and pour the meat sauce on top of the pasta. Using a rubber spatula, spread into an even layer without pressing down. Pour the béchamel over the meat sauce. Place the casserole dish onto the offset heat part of the grill, close the grill and bake until the top is golden brown and puffy, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the grill and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.
• Oven method: Bake uncovered at 400 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes.

LAMB RAGU WITH POTATO GNOCCHI: PASTICCIO DI AGNELLO CON GNOCCHI DI PATATE

Steps:

• Prepare the gnocchi according to the recipe. Keep the gnocchi covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the lamb, onion, bay leaves, garlic, and rosemary in a roasting pan (see Cook¿s Note for clay roasting alternative). Drizzle the lamb mixture with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, season with salt and pepper and mix well.
• Roast the lamb turning it after about 20 minutes. Cook until the meat begins to brown, about 40 minutes. Add the wine and stock, stir to coat, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Braise until the lamb is tender and cooked through, about 30 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, peel and trim the eggplant then cut it into ¼-inch cubes. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant, turning it frequently, until golden. Remove the eggplant from the skillet using a slotted spoon. Allow the eggplant to drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
• Add the eggplant and the gnocchi to the lamb stew. Top the stew with both the grated and broken pieces of Pecorino Romano cheese. Return the pot to the oven and cook until the liquid has reduced and is thickened by the melted cheese, about 15 minutes more.
• Remove the lamb from the oven and allow the stew to rest for 10 minutes. Spoon lamb with gnocchi, eggplant and sauce into warm bowls and serve.
• Place the potatoes in a medium size saucepan. Add a pinch of salt and enough water to cover the potatoes by 2 inches. Bring the contents of the pot to a boil over high heat. Reduce the temperature and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool just enough to handle. Peel, then mash or rice them.
• Place the flour and the salt in a mixing bowl. Add the warm smoothly mashed potatoes. Using a wooden spoon, mix the ingredients together. Drizzle the potato dough with olive oil and 1/4-cup of water. Mix well, incorporating all of the ingredients and forming a smooth ball. Set the dough aside for 10 minutes to relax.
• Working on a floured surface, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each portion of dough into a rope about 1/2-inch in diameter. Cut each rope into 1/4-inch pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a small ball. Roll the dough balls over the tines of a fork then set them aside on a lightly floured baking sheet.
• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat so that the water is at a simmer. Working in batches, add gnocchi to the pot (shaking off any excess flour). Stir gently and cook the gnocchi until they float then remove them with a slotted spoon. They can be dressed and served at this point or chilled in an ice bath, drained then dressed with a little olive oil if they are to be held for several hours. Once cooked gnocchi can be stored in the refrigerator but should be eaten the same day they are made.

HOLIDAY PASTA BAKE (PASTICCIO-ISH)

Steps:

• For the meat sauce: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. When hot, add the meat and cook, without stirring, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon, then add the onion, garlic and cinnamon and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the crushed tomatoes and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened and the flavors come together, about 1 hour.
• For the pasta bake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brush a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with olive oil and set aside.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt liberally. Add the pasta, give it a stir and cook for about 6 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss it with the meat sauce and 1 cup of the Parmesan. Transfer it to the casserole dish.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and toast for 1 minute. Add the milk and nutmeg, whisking continuously to combine. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture has thickened slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the remaining 1 cup Parmesan until melted. Whisk in the eggs and set aside.
• Pour the bechamel over the meat sauce. Bake until the top is golden brown and puffy, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

PASTICCIO

Steps:

• Saute been and onion, add tomato sauce, salt and pepper Cook macaroni Prepare a casserole dish with butter and a sprinkling of cheese. Mix grated cheese with cinnamon and nutmeg Scald the milk and butter, remove from heat. Blend with 1/2 eggs to temper, then add the rest of the eggs. Assemble in layers, macaroni then tomato mixture, then milk then cheese twice. Ending with the cheese. Bake at 325 for 50 minutes, uncovered

TORTELLINI PASTICCIO

Steps:

• 1.Preheat the oven to 400°F
• 2.Add the butter, cream and salt to a large sauté pan, turn the heat on to medium and melt the butter into the cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Take off the heat.
• 3.Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the tortellini. Cook until the tortellini are slightly underdone, 3-5 minutes. Drain well.
• 4.Place pan with butter and cream back over medium heat. Add the tortellini and Parmagiano-Reggiano cheese and stir gently until cheese is melted and tortellini are well coated with the sauce.
• 5.Coat the bottom of a round or oval baking dish with 1 cup of the bolognese sauce. Add the tortellini with the cream sauce to the dish, then make a circle on top of the tortellini in the center with the remaining half cup of bolognese sauce, leaving about 1 inch around the edges uncovered.
• 6.Place the baking dish in the oven and cook for 15 minutes, until the cream sauce is starting to bubble around the edges.

SICILIAN SPAGHETTI CAKE (PASTICCIO DI SPAGHETTI ALLA SIRACUSANA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Put a pot of water on to boil for cooking pasta. Combine tomatoes, olives, basil and capers in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and crushed red pepper (if using) and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add tomato mixture and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti (or vermicelli) in boiling salted water until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and rinse well. Add to sauce and mix well. Let cool to room temperature. Stir in Pecorino Romano. Brush the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over the bottom and sides of a heavy 10-inch ovenproof skillet. Heat the pan over medium heat. Remove from heat; add pasta mixture and press firmly into an even layer. Bake pasta until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Run a knife around the inside edge of the pan and invert the spaghetti cake onto a large platter. Cut into wedges and serve. TIPS & NOTES Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4. The pasta mixture will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Return to room temperature before proceeding.

PASTICCIO CASSEROLE (OMAC)

Steps:

• Botton Layer: Combine macaroni, eggs and cheese. Spread over bottom of greased 13 x 9 ~ or ~ two 8 x 8 casserole dishes. Set aside.
• Filling: In a large skillet, cook beef, mushrooms and onion until tender and browned. Drain fat. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Simmer, uncovered while preparing topping.
• Top Layer: In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and nutmeg. Add milk; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add a bit of the milk mixture to the eggs, stir quickly, then return to the saucepan. Cook over low heat for 1 minute longer.
• To assemble: Spread meat filling over macaroni. Spread top layer over the filling. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Preheat oven to 350. Cook the casserole for 35 - 40 minutes or until heated through.

PASTICCIO

Steps:

• Cook lasagne noodles in boiling,salted water until tender.
• Drain.
• Melt butter in pan and cook finely chopped onions and minced steak for 2-3mins, stirring constantly.
• Add tomato and salt&pepper to taste.
• Continue to cook over low heat until meat is tender.
• Cover pan if mixture is too dry.
• Blend with 1/2 cup grated cheese.
• Place half the lasagne in a greased casserole and cover with meat mixture, then remaining lasagne.
• Blend cream sauce with beaten egg and 1/4 cup grated cheese.
• Season and pour over the lasagne.
• Bake in a moderate oven for 40-50mins or until top is nicely browned.
• Serve hot.
• CREAM SAUCE:- Melt butter, blend in flour and cook gently for 2mins.
• Add milk gradually, stirring over a low heat until boiling.
• Add cream (optional) and season to taste with salt&pepper.

PASTICCIO

Steps:

• SAUCE: Heat oil in large skillet; cook onion& pepper for 3 minutes.
• Add garlic, stir& cook for 1 more minute.
• Add beef& cook, stirring frequently, until no longer pink- about 10 minutes.
• Add tomatoes& wine; bring to a boil, lower heat& simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until sauce is fairly thick.
• Stir in parsley& anchovies; season to taste.
• PASTA: Cook in boiling salted water for 8- 10 minutes, or until tender.
• Drain& transfer to a bowl.
• Stir in the cream& set aside.
• TOPPING: Beat yoghurt, eggs& nutmeg until well combined; season to taste.
• ASSEMBLY: Brush a large, shallow ovenproof dish with oil (or spray with Pam).
• Spoon in 1/2 the pasta mixture& cover with 1/2 the meat mixture.
• Repeat these 2 layers.
• Spread the topping over the final layer& sprinkle evenly with cheese.
• COOKING: Bake in preheated 375F oven for 25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown& bubbling.

PASTICCIO -- BAKED PASTA (GREECE)

Steps:

• In a saucepan melt 4 tablespoons butter & whisk in the flour.
• When flour is completely incorporated, gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Keep whisking until milk comes to a boil, then simmer for 2-3 minutes & remove it from the heat.
• Stir in nutmeg, salt & pepper to taste, & add 1/3 of the cheese.
• Let this sauce cool until just warm, then stir in the beaten egg yolks & set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add salt & pasta & cook for 2 MINUTES LESS than the package instructions indicate, so that the pasta is very al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F & butter the inside of a 13"x9" baking dish.
• When pasta is done, drain it & toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then spread half of the pasta in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour half of the sauce over it & sprinkle half of the remaining cheese over that. Repeat layering with the remaining pasta, then the rest of the sauce & finally the cheese.
• Place the baking dish on the oven's middle rack & bake 20-30 minutes or until golden.
• Great when served warm or at room temperature with a fresh green salad.

BAKED MACARONI WITH GROUND BEEF -- PASTICCIO

Steps:

• For the filling: Heat the butter in a large frying pan and saute the ground beef and onion until slightly browned. Add remaining ingredients, except egg white, cover and cook over a medium heat; allow to cool and add egg whites. To make the sauce: Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan, add the flour and cook stirring constanly for 1 minute. Add the milk all at once, and stir until the sauce is smooth. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese, eggs and egg yolks. Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water until soft but firm. Drain and return to the pan. Add the butter. Butter a baking pan and put in half the macaroni. Sprinkle with cheese and cover with the meat filling. Top with remaining macaroni. Sprinkle with cheese and cover with the sauce. Sprinkle top with the rest of the cheese and cook in a moderate oven for about 45 minutes or until golden brown. Leave for 20 minutes then cut into square pieces and serve.

PASTICCIO

Steps:

• Prehead the oven to Gas Mark 6/200c/fan oven 180c. In a lidded non stick saucepan, dry fry the mince for 5 minutes, stirring to break up the meat. Pour in the passata, season, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile bring a saucepan of water to the boil and cook the pasta for 10 minutes or according to the packet instructions until tender.
• To make a white sauce, blend the cornflour with a little of the milk in a non stick pan to make a smooth paste, then mix in the rest of the milk. Bring to the boil, stirring until thickened, then simmer for 2 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and mix with the meat sauce. Tip into a baking dish and pour the white sauce on top. Scatter with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.

GREEK BAKED PASTA (PASTICCIO)

Steps:

• 1. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in saucepan and whisk in the flour. When the flour is completely incorporated, gradually pour in milk, whisking constantly. Keep whisking until the milk comes to a boil, simmer for a couple of minutes, then remove from heat.
• 2. Stir in the nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste and 1/3 of the cheese. Let sauce cool until warm, then stir in the beaten egg yolks. Set aside.
• 3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta and cook for 2 minutes less that the package instructions say. You want the pasta very al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
• 4. Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Grease a 9"x13" baking dish with a little butter.
• 5. Drain pasta and toss with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Spread half the pasta in the bottom of the baking dish, pour half the bechamel over it, and sprinkle with half of the remaining cheese. If adding ham add a layer of diced ham now.
• 6. Cover with the rest of the pasta and pour remainder of bechamel, distributing it evenly. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature with a crisp green salad.