Pastitsada: Greek Comfort Food: Pasta & Beef Stew

Ingredients
2 pounds boneless beef cubes
1 pound pastitsio noodles (bucatini)
1/3 cup olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, grated
1 (16 oz) can tomatoes, pureed
1 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon (or more) crushed red pepper flakes
1 Bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
2-3 whole cloves
salt and black pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese or kefalograviera, grated
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a pot. Brown the beef in a few batches for 3-4 minutes. Set aside in a plate/bowl.

Add the onions to the pot and cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes.

Add the garlic and warm through for a few seconds.

Add the beef cubes back to the pot with the remaining ingredients except for the parsley and cheese.

Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium. Cover the pot and cook until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened. About 1 and 1/2-2 hours. Stir the stew often and add more water if it thickens too much before the beef is ready.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and drain. Toss with butter.

Garnish with parsley and serve over pasta. Top with plenty of grated cheese. Enjoy!

Notes
Make-Ahead Instructions: The beef stew keeps fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-6 days. You may also freeze it for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to serve it, that it overnight in the refrigerator and warm it through in a pot with a cup of water. taste and adjust the seasonings and garnish with some fresh parsley.


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[chrisgeorgatsos]

This brings a flood of memories, my Yiayia Eleni would make this particular dish for Sunday Family dinners, especially during the cold winter months and pre-lenten period. She passed away 20 years ago and I miss her tremendously. She nurtured and embraced us all with her love through her amazing cooking. We are from Arcadia, in the Peloponnesian region of Greece. Thank you Dimitra for bringing this and countless other forgotten Greek recipes to life!

[ΕλενηΒρεττου-γλ]

Giasu Dimitrula malon apo Kriti giati tin vlepo sto psigio su i sindagisu poli orea Thank you....Greece.

[bassethound]

I have one friend recovering from hip surgery and another just come down with covid. I made a double batch of your pastitsada with the Melissa pastitsio to take to their houses tomorrow. Passing on the love, thank you Dimitria.

[miriammanolov]

I see pasta, I see beef... I click LIKE 😉

[sunshineandflowers]

Thank you so much Dimitra! My husband was complaining that we tend to eat mostly chicken during lockdown (Melbourne Australia). Now that I have seen this delicious dish it has brought back memories of eating it as a child in Greece. I have chuck steak in the freezer so it is coming out and I will be cooking this tomorrow. I will add 1/2 a cinnamon stick as I love that flavour combination. Your recipes are awesome and so very authentic.
Thank you so very much for sharing your precious knowledge and cooking skills with us all. Yiasas!

[marykoufalis]

Both my parents are from Cotfu and we have only ever made it with kokora, rooster. Once the meat is done, we boil the pasta in the tomato sauce. Delicious.

[rachaelnikkola]

Bucatini Noodles are the BOMB! Easy to order on Amazon! Worth it!

[laner]

Made the Pastitsada last night. For such a simple dish turned out excellent. Amazing flavour.

Thank you.

[sorayayessad]

Comme toujours bravo A essayer prochaines jours.

[marche]

Thank you for this recipe, looks delicious! 😋

[cindya]

I can't watch in the mornings...makes me hungry...lol

[Torbis]

Yay! Thank you so much for this recipe. My late parents were from the Ionian islands. So this is such a welcome home for me. Yummm.

[SparrowStockwell]

Oooh...those browned beef chunks. I wants.

[tanvav]

TY sweet Dimitroula mou! I'm gonna be making this since I gotten so much spaghetti from the pantry here I live. Yummy! I have a cousin that lives in Corfu, Kerkyra Stay safe!

[clairepapadatos]

Hi Ditra!
I used to live on the island of Zakynthos, many decades ago!
Beef was, at that time, very difficult, and expensive to get!
Most of the 'affordable' cuts of beef were used to make 'kokinisto', which braised for hours!
Thank you so much for sharing your receipes, and reminding of this, after so many years!
(Yes, it ended in a rather nasty divorce 😦, his fault! )
All love, and best wishes, Claire, Berlin 😘 ✌

[Bi-Anca]

Absolutely delicious, is exactly how I tasted it in Corfu, I've made it twice so far. Could you please also share the recipe for Sofrito?

[clairepapadatos]

The food always tastes better a day later!
I used to cook for my sons for 2 days, but, very strangely, there wasn't much left for the next day!
(midnight snacks?!)

[elzbietavali]

Hi, I live in Finland and I couldn't find that pasta in my town!! Food looks delicious

[Jimbo]

I miss my Aunt Mary's Pastitsada.

[hildalenarcic]

Good on u yummy I luv u a y cooking my husband will like this I never use beef b will now thanks again u make my day luv it will make it yeman xx