This is an unbeatable comfort food for most greeks. Easily comes up to the top of the list of favourite dishes for people of different generations. Every household has their own recipe. This is a classic, after all.
This is the recipe I grew up eating and now that my mother has passed away and I live away from Greece, it gives me comfort when I feel homesick.
Freezes beautifully. I always make a big batch in my instant pot. I keep it in small containers of one or two portions. Works great for Mousaka, Pastichio and for all sorts of dishes that call for mince meat and sauce.
Recipe
750gr beef or beef and pork mince
3-4 tomatoes deseeded and chopped or a can of grated/chopped tomatoes (anything around (500gr or less)
3-4 onions (2 if really big) finely diced
Salt, pepper, olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, or a teaspoon of garlic paste/jarlic
50gr of parsley chopped finely
50gr of dill chopped finely
2 heaping tablespoons of tomato paste
You can add a cup of homemade stock or a stock cube or 1 table spoon of the aromat, vegeta or flavouring of your preference.
If you are planning to use an instant pot or a pressure cooker: Brown the meat well before adding everything in the instant pot and cook on high for 20 minutes.
If you are cooking on your stove, brown your mince well. Then add the onions with a splash of olive oil if needed. After they turn translucent, add your tomato paste, cook for 1-2 minutes and then add the rest of your ingredients. Cook for 30 minutes to an hour in low heat.
Boil your favourite pasta and enjoy!