Pastitsio

Pastitsio is a baked Greek pasta dish with seasoned ground meat and a creamy béchamel sauce topping. It's often referred to as "Greek lasagna" due to its layered structure, although it doesn't traditionally contain tomatoes in the same way as Italian lasagna.

The dish consists of three main layers: a pasta base, usually made with bucatini or other tubular pasta; a meat filling, typically a mixture of ground beef or lamb, seasoned with cinnamon, allspice, and sometimes tomato paste or sauce; and a thick, creamy béchamel sauce, flavored with nutmeg and often containing cheese, which is baked until golden brown and bubbly.

Pastitsio is a popular comfort food in Greece, served at family gatherings, holidays, and restaurants. Variations exist, with some recipes including a layer of grated cheese within the meat filling or incorporating vegetables like eggplant.