Pastitsio Greek Casserole Recipe

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Pastitsio Greek Casserole
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Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lbs lg tubular pasta (such as ziti #2)
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1-2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 1 1/4 cup chopped onions
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 20 or more ground peppercorns (to taste)
  • 1 1/4 cup grated kefalotyri cheese (or pecorino)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • bechamel sauce w/cheese or basic bechamel

Directions:

  1. Sauté onions til translucent in 2 T olive oil in large heavy-bottomed frying pan.
  2. Add meat & continue to stir til lightly brown.
  3. Add tomatoes, spices, garlic, salt, & pepper & stir well to combine. Reduce heat & simmer til liquid has been absorbed, about 30-35 min. This is very important - the meat mixture should be as dry as possible without sticking to the bottom of the pan. Set meat mixture aside, uncovered, & allow to cool.
  4. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a baking or roasting pan approximately 11 X 14 X 3 in. high.
  5. While the meat is simmering, prepare pasta. Cook til slightly underdone, drain, toss w/couple T. olive oil to prevent sticking, & set aside.
  6. Make the béchamel sauce with cheese or 6 c. of basic béchamel.
  7. Spread the breadcrumbs evenly on bottom of an 11x15x3-in. baking pan.
  8. Use 1/2 the pasta for first layer & sprinkle with 1/2 c. of the grated cheese.
  9. Add meat sauce evenly over the pasta, & sprinkle w/1/2 cup of the grated cheese.
  10. Add remaining pasta on top. Carefully pour béchamel over the top & use a spatula to spread evenly.
  11. Bake at 350F for 30 min., then sprinkle remaining 1/4 c. grated cheese on top, & continue to bake for another 15-30 min. til sauce rises & turns golden brown.
  12. Remove pan from oven & allow to cool before serving (Pastitsio is served warm, not hot). Serves 6-8
  13. This dish can be prepared the day before, all the way to the béchamel sauce, refrigerated overnight,& cooked the next day after adding sauce.
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Nutrition Facts

Per ServingPer 100 g
Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories 447.08 Kcal (1872 kJ)
Calories from fat 352.7 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 39.19g 60%
Cholesterol 52.72mg 18%
Sodium 89.87mg 4%
Potassium 419.91mg 9%
Total Carbs 7.74g 3%
Sugars 3g 12%
Dietary Fiber 1.48g 6%
Protein 17.32g 35%
Vitamin C 9.8mg 16%
Iron 1.9mg 11%
Calcium 32.5mg 3%
Amount Per 100 g
Calories 212.8 Kcal (891 kJ)
Calories from fat 167.88 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18.65g 60%
Cholesterol 25.09mg 18%
Sodium 42.78mg 4%
Potassium 199.87mg 9%
Total Carbs 3.69g 3%
Sugars 1.43g 12%
Dietary Fiber 0.7g 6%
Protein 8.24g 35%
Vitamin C 4.7mg 16%
Iron 0.9mg 11%
Calcium 15.5mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

  • salty
  • savory
  • bitter
  • sweet
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Recipe Tags

Weightwatchers Points

  • 11.9
    Points
  • 12
    PointsPlus

Good Points

  • saturated fat free,
  • low sodium

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