Cooking Recipe 1-Pot: Pastitsio Goes Light

Recipe Ingredients

1 ts Vegetable oil

2 Garlic cloves, minced

1 Onion, chopped

2 Carrots, finely diced

1 Zucchini, finely chopped

3/4 lb Lean ground beef

1 1/2 ts Dried basil

1 ts Dried oregano

1 ts Cinnamon

1/2 ts Salt

1/2 ts Pepper

1/2 ts Dried thyme

2 tb Tomato paste

19 oz Canned tomatoes

1/4 c Fresh parsley, chopped

PASTA CUSTARD LAYERS

3 tb Butter

1/4 c All-purpose flour

3 c Milk

1 Egg

1 c 2% cottage cheese

1 c Mozzarella, part-skin,

Shredded

1/2 ts Salt

1/2 ts Pepper

1/4 ts Nutmeg

3 c Pasta shells

1/4 c Parmesan, freshly grated

Directions

This is the Greek variation of lasagna.

In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat; cook garlic,
onion, carrots and zucchini, stirring, for about 5 minutes or until
softened. Add beef, basil, oregano, cinnamon, salt, pepper and thyme;
cook, stirring to break up beef, for about 3 minutes or until meat is
no longer pink. Pour in tomato paste and tomatoes, mashing tomatoes
with fork; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer for about 20 minutes or
until almost all liquid is evaporated and sauce is thickened. Stir in
parsley; set aside.

Pasta Custard Layers: In heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium
heat; stir in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
gradually whisk in milk; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low or
until thickened. In large bowl, whisk eggs; whisk in about 1/2 cup of
the hot milk sauce. Return mixture to saucepan; cook, stirring, for 2
minutes. Remove from heat; blend in cottage cheese, mozzarella, salt,
pepper and nutmeg.

Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta for about
8 minutes or until almost tender. Drain; return to pot. Add cheese
sauce; toss well.

Spread half of the pasta mixture in greased 13x9-inch baking dish;
spread meat mixture over top. Spread remaining pasta mixture evenly
over meat. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

[Can be prepared to this point, covered and refrigerated for up to 1
day. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.]

Bake in 375F 190C oven for 1 hour or until heated through and top is
lightly browned. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Serve with a light green salad tossed with a sun-dried tomato
vinaigrette.

6 servings for $13.26CDN [Nov 95]

Per Serving: about 495 calories, 29 g protein, 19 g fat, 52 g
carbohydrate, high source fibre, good source iron, excellent source
calcium

Source: Canadian Living magazine, Nov 95 Presented in article "Hearty
& Healthy: Casseroles See The Light" Recipe by Canadian Living Test
Kitchen

[-=PAM=-] PA_Meadows@msn.com

Categories matching this recipe

Pastanoodle ,Beef ,Greek ,Casseroles