Vegetable Pastitsio

Vegetable Pastitsio is a delightful Greek baked dish featuring layers of pasta, a rich vegetable-based sauce, and creamy béchamel. This comforting meal is perfect for a cozy dinner, offering a blend of flavors and textures that will satisfy any palate.

Ingredients

• Pasta (penne or ziti) - 200 grams
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Onion, finely chopped - 1 medium
• Garlic, minced - 2 cloves
• Zucchini, diced - 150 grams
• Red bell pepper, diced - 150 grams
• Mushrooms, sliced - 150 grams
• Carrot, grated - 1 medium
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Diced tomatoes (canned) - 400 grams
• Oregano, dried - 1 teaspoon
• Basil, dried - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Nutmeg, ground - 1/4 teaspoon
• Milk - 500 milliliters
• Butter - 50 grams
• All-purpose flour - 50 grams
• Grated cheese (Kefalotyri or Parmesan) - 100 grams
• Egg - 1 large

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then 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 cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in the diced zucchini, red bell pepper, mushrooms, and grated carrot. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
6. Mix in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking for about 2 minutes.
8. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Remove from heat.
9. Stir in half of the grated cheese and the egg into the béchamel sauce. Mix well.
10. In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta, followed by the vegetable sauce, then the remaining pasta, and finally pour the béchamel sauce over the top.
11. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
13. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 560
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 100 mg
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in vitamins and minerals from vegetables.
• Provides a good source of fiber for digestive health.

Tags