Mediterranean Penne Pastitsio Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN PENNE PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Cover to keep warm.
• Melt Fleischmann's in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olives, garlic and capers. Cook 30 seconds or until garlic is golden brown, stirring constantly.
• Add drained tomatoes; stir. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cooked pasta and basil; toss lightly. Heat until hot, stirring occasionally.

PASTITSIO

Steps:

• For the sauce, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add the beef and lamb, and saute over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until it's no longer pink, crumbling it with the back of wooden spoon. Drain off any excess liquid, add the wine, and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the garlic, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, and cayenne, and continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the bechamel, heat the milk and cream together in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until simmering. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly for 2 minutes. Pour the warm milk and cream mixture into the butter and flour mixture, whisking constantly. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and thick. Add the nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Stir in 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of the tomato and meat sauce, and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Stir in the eggs and yogurt and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Don't over-cook because the pasta will later be baked. Drain and set aside.
• Add the pasta to the meat and tomato sauce, and pour the mixture into a baking dish. Spread the bechamel evenly to cover the pasta and sprinkle with the remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake for 1 hour, until golden brown and bubbly. Set aside for 10 minutes and serve hot.

MEDITERRANEAN PENNE PASTITSIO

Steps:

• 1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and return to pan.
• 2. In a small saucepan, melt butter until golden brown, and pour over the reserved pasta. Add the parmesan cheese and toss well. Leave until cool, then add eggs and toss again. Set aside.
• 3. For the sauce, drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and minced garlic, saute for 5 minutes.
• 4. Add the ground meat and saute over medium heat for at least 10 minuted and until meat is no longer pink.
• 5. Drain most of excess liquid but not all, add the wine, and cook for 2 more minutes.
• 6. Add the oregano and thyme, mix and cook for about 5 minutes.
• 7. Add tomatoes, salt and seasoned pepper blend. Simmer for 40-45 minutes stirring occasionally. Set sauce aside.
• 8. Preheat oven to 350'F.
• 9. For the Bechamel, heat the milk and cream together in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until simmering.
• 10. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly for 2 minutes.
• 11. Pour the warm milk and cream mixture into the butter and flour mixture, whisking constantly. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and thick.
• 12. Add the nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Stir in 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of the tomato and meat sauce, and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Stir in the eggs and yogurt and set aside.
• 13. Butter a 9x13 Baking dish, you can lay the pasta down, add the tomato meat sauce, then the Bechamel sauce and add the remaining 3/4 cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese or....
• 14. You also again butter a 9x13 baking dish. Mix the pasta with the tomato meat sauce, place into baking dish and top with Bechamel Sauce and top with the remaining 3/4 cups of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• 15. Bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hours until top is lightly browned and dish is bubbling. Set aside and cool for 10 minutes. Serve dish while hot.
• 16. *Note: You can freeze this dish and then cook when your ready to make for dinner. You have to cook longer but have topping lightly browned and mixture bubbling. About 1 1/2 hours or so depending on your oven.
• 17. *Serve with fresh warm bread and a fresh green salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

NIKKI'S PERFECT PASTITSIO

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Toss with butter; add grated Parmesan cheese. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef into crumbles; drain. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in tomato sauce, salt and cinnamon; heat through. Spoon over pasta. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese., In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Pour over beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese., Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes longer or until golden brown.,

MEDITERRANEAN PENNE

Steps:

• In a large pot, cook penne according to package directions.
• (I sometimes like to add vegetable boullion to the water during cooking to give the penne a little extra flavor); Drain and set aside.
• In a large wok style pan combine onions, peppers, garlic and Italian herbs with olive oil and sauteé until tender crisp, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Mix in the kalamata olives and sundried tomatoes, cook another 2 minutes, or until heated through.
• Add the cooked penne, feta and freshly ground black pepper to the pan and toss gently to mix.
• Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until feta begins to melt.
• Top each serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE PENNE

Steps:

• Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels using slotted spoon. Add onion and eggplant to drippings in skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat until eggplant is tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, vinegar and thyme. Reduce heat to medium and cook 5 minutes. Stir in capers. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Transfer to large bowl. Toss with olive oil. Mix in eggplant sauce, feta, olives and bacon. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

PENNE MEDITERRANEAN

Steps:

• *Herb Butter: Mix ingredients (butter, garlic, herbs, kosher salt, black pepper) well until smooth.
• 1.) Heat oil in pan. Add garlic, basil, sundried tomatoes and onions, then sauté.
• 2.) Add vegetable stock, Feta and herb butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• 3.) Reheat pasta in hot water, drain and add to pan with spinach. Stir to combine. Place in a bowl. Garnish with Feta and pinenuts.
• Note: You can dice chicken and cook in blended oil with desired seasonings (I use Weber's Kickin' Chicken) and add to pasta.