Chickpea Pastitsio

Chickpea Pastitsio is a delightful twist on the traditional Greek baked pasta, featuring layers of tender chickpeas and rich tomato sauce, topped with a creamy dairy-free béchamel. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy dinner and is packed with plant-based goodness.

Ingredients

• Whole wheat pasta - 200 grams
• Canned chickpeas - 240 grams, drained and rinsed
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 medium, chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Canned crushed tomatoes - 400 grams
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Dried oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Nutmeg - a pinch
• Almond milk - 300 milliliters
• Cornstarch - 2 tablespoons
• Nutritional yeast - 3 tablespoons
• Fresh parsley - for garnish

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Cook the whole wheat pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chickpeas, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
6. In a separate small saucepan, whisk together almond milk and cornstarch over medium heat. Stir continuously until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
7. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the nutritional yeast and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix until smooth.
8. In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by the chickpea mixture, and then the remaining pasta on top.
9. Pour the dairy-free béchamel sauce evenly over the pasta layer, ensuring it's well covered.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
11. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbs: 64 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein from chickpeas.
• High in fiber, promoting digestive health.

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