Moroccan-Spiced Pastitsio With Lamb and Feta

May 17, 2023May 17, 20230 1
Moroccan-Spiced Pastitsio With Lamb and Feta Recipe For Dinner
in Dinner

Prep

25 min

Cook

1 hour 30 min

Ready In

1 hour 55 min

Level

Difficult

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/4 cups chopped red onions
2 large garlic cloves , chopped
1 lb ground lamb
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
2 tablespoons dried mint
1 1/2 tablespoons ras el hanout spice mix
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 teaspoons ground cumin , divided
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups whole milk , divided
8 tablespoons unsalted butter , divided
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 large eggs , separated
6 ounces feta cheese , crumbled
1 lb penne rigate
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese , divided

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
8
Calories
722
Sugar
9g
Fat
42g
Moroccan-Spiced Pastitsio With Lamb and Feta is a delicious and hearty dinner dish that combines the flavors of North Africa with classic Greek cuisine. Traditionally, pastitsio is a Greek baked pasta dish that is prepared with ground beef or pork, tomato sauce and creamy bechamel sauce. This version of pastitsio adds a Moroccan twist with the use of lamb and a spice mix called ras el hanout. The dish is both rich and flavorful, with layers of pasta, spiced lamb, creamy sauce and crumbled feta cheese. It is the perfect meal for feeding a crowd, or for enjoying as leftovers throughout the week.

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2.In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. Add ground lamb and cook until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
3.Add diced tomatoes with juice, dried mint, ras el hanout spice mix, tomato paste, 2 tsp of cumin and cinnamon to the lamb mixture. Cook until the liquid has reduced and the mixture is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
4.In a separate pot, melt 6 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour until a paste forms. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook the mixture, whisking occasionally, until it becomes a thick sauce, about 10 minutes.
5.In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and the remaining 1 cup of milk. Gradually whisk the egg yolk mixture into the sauce and cook until the sauce is thick and creamy, about 3 minutes.
6.In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
7.Fold the egg whites into the lamb mixture until well combined.
8.In a small bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese with 2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese and the remaining 1 tsp of cumin.
9.Melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
10.To assemble the pastitsio, spread half of the pasta in the bottom of a large baking dish. Top with the lamb mixture, followed by the remaining pasta. Pour the sauce over the top. Sprinkle the feta cheese mixture over the sauce. Drizzle the melted butter and parmesan mixture over the top.
11.Bake the pastitsio for 45 minutes, or until it is golden brown and bubbling. Let the pastitsio cool for 10 minutes before serving.

PROS

This dish has a unique blend of spices and textures, with the richness of the lamb combining perfectly with the creaminess of the sauce and feta cheese.

It is a filling and satisfying meal that is great for sharing with family and friends.

CONS

This dish is quite high in calories and fat due to the use of lamb, butter and cheese.
It may not be suitable for those on a low-fat or low-calorie diet.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While this dish is not the healthiest option, it does contain a number of important nutrients.
Lamb is a good source of protein, iron and vitamin B12, while the milk, cheese and eggs provide calcium and vitamin D.
The spices used in this recipe, such as cumin and cinnamon, have also been linked to a range of potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving digestion.

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