Pastitsio

Pastitsio is a hearty Greek baked pasta dish layered with a rich meat sauce and creamy béchamel, perfect for a comforting dinner. This high-protein version incorporates lean ground beef and Greek yogurt for added nutrition without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

• Pasta (e.g., bucatini or penne) - 200 grams
• Lean ground beef - 250 grams
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Onion, chopped - 1 medium (about 150 grams)
• Garlic, minced - 2 cloves
• Tomato sauce - 200 grams
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Dried oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Greek yogurt - 100 grams
• Egg - 1 large
• Milk - 200 milliliters
• All-purpose flour - 2 tablespoons
• Nutmeg - a pinch
• Parmesan cheese, grated - 50 grams

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Cook the pasta in 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 chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
5. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
6. In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of flour over medium heat, then gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
7. Remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool slightly. Stir in Greek yogurt, egg, and a pinch of nutmeg until well combined.
8. In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by the meat sauce, and then the remaining pasta. Pour the béchamel mixture evenly over the top.
9. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the béchamel layer.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 40 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 90 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein to support muscle repair and growth.
• Contains healthy fats from olive oil for heart health.

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