Spinach Pastitsio

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 11
Delicious Spinach Pastitsio recipe with a creamy bechamel sauce
in Main

Prep

45 min

Cook

50 min

Ready In

1 hour 35 min

Level

Difficult

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Loading...

Ingredients

1 lb ground round
1 cup onion , chopped
1/2 cup carrot , chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt , divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper , divided
1 package frozen chopped spinach , thawed , drained and squeezed dry
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups penne pasta , uncooked
4 1/2 cups 1 % low-fat milk
12 black peppercorns
1 small onion , thinly sliced
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons light butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese , grated , divided
cooking spray

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
8
Calories
653
Sugar
8g
Fat
31g
Spinach pastitsio is a delicious Greek-inspired dish that combines flavorful ground round with creamy bechamel sauce and spinach. The result is a comforting and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion. This dish traditionally takes some time and effort to prepare, but the end result is well worth it. With its rich flavors and hearty ingredients, spinach pastitsio is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any meal.

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 375°F.
2.Cook ground round, chopped onion, and chopped carrot in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned.
3.Stir in diced tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4.Add spinach, dried oregano, nutmeg, and cinnamon to skillet; stir well to combine.
5.Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.
6.Combine milk, peppercorns, sliced onion, and bay leaf in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
7.Remove from heat; let stand for 10 minutes.
8.Strain milk mixture through a sieve, and reserve milk. Discard solids.
9.Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
10.Add flour, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add reserved milk, stirring with a whisk.
11.Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and nutmeg. Cook 12 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly with a whisk.
12.Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir half of cheese sauce into pasta; toss well.
13.Spoon pasta mixture into bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
14.Pour remaining cheese sauce over pasta mixture in dish.
15.Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over top.
16.Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

PROS

Spinach pastitsio is a comforting and hearty meal that’s perfect for the whole family.

The creamy bechamel sauce and flavorful ground round make for a satisfying and delicious dish.

CONS

This recipe is high in fat and calories and should be enjoyed in moderation.

Additionally, it requires some time and effort to prepare.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Spinach is packed full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K and iron. It’s also high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Ground round is a good source of protein that can help with muscle growth and repair. However, it’s best enjoyed in moderation due to its high fat content.

Print

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.