How To Make Venezuelan Pasticho Recipe From Scratch

Cheetahshop

November 22, 2022

Introduction

Pasticho is a traditional Venezuelan dish, similar to Italian lasagne, but with its own unique twist. Made with layers of pasta, minced beef, béchamel sauce, and cheese, this dish is a favorite among Venezuelans and is perfect for any occasion. In this article, we will show you how to make a delicious and authentic pasticho recipe from scratch.

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

400g all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of salt
Water (as needed)

For the Meat Sauce:

1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
500g minced beef
1 can of chopped tomatoes (400g)
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 tablespoon of paprika
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Béchamel Sauce:

1 liter of milk
100g of butter
100g of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
Salt and black pepper to taste

Other Ingredients:

300g of grated mozzarella cheese
100g of grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Pasta

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt together. Create a well in the center of the mixture and add the eggs and olive oil. 2. Using a fork, whisk the eggs and olive oil together, gradually incorporating the flour mixture. 3. Knead the dough with your hands until it is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too dry, add a little bit of water. 4. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes. 5. Roll out the pasta dough into thin sheets using a pasta roller or a rolling pin. 6. Cut the pasta sheets into rectangular shapes that will fit your baking dish.

Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce

1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. 2. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions are translucent. 3. Add the minced beef and cook until it is browned. 4. Add the red and green bell peppers and cook for another 2-3 minutes. 5. Add the chopped tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir and let the sauce simmer for 20-25 minutes until it thickens.

Step 3: Make the Béchamel Sauce

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. 2. Add the flour and whisk constantly until it forms a smooth paste. 3. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. 4. Add the nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to taste.

Step 4: Assemble the Pasticho

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 2. Grease a large baking dish with butter. 3. Start by layering the pasta sheets at the bottom of the dish. 4. Spread a layer of meat sauce over the pasta sheets. 5. Add a layer of béchamel sauce over the meat sauce. 6. Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese over the béchamel sauce. 7. Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of béchamel sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top. 8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. 9. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. 10. Let the pasticho cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Here is the approximate nutrition information for a serving of pasticho (1/8th of the recipe):

Calories: 589
Fat: 33g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 32g
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 633mg

Conclusion

This pasticho recipe is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for any occasion. It takes a little bit of time and effort to make from scratch, but the end result is well worth it. Serve it with a fresh salad and a glass of red wine, and you have a complete meal that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Give it a try, and let us know how it turned out!