MY BIG FAT GREEK PASTITSIO
This is real comfort food! I love this meaty, rich casserole. I must warn you - you will probably end up with very messy kitchen after making this, but it is worth it. Named in honor of the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" which celebrates Greek culture. I have been making this homestyle Greek recipe for many years, but it originally came from one of my favorite military community cookbooks, "Enough to Feed an Army." Prep time allows for cooking the macaroni and chopping the onions & garlic.
Provided by HeatherFeather
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 1h40m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a nonstick skillet sprayed with nonstick spray, saute the onion over medium-high heat until translucent, 2-3 minutes or so.
- Add meat to the pan and cook over medium heat until browned all the way through; drain fat.
- Add tomato sauce, garlic,just 1 tsp of the cinnamon, and some salt to taste.
- Simmer on low heat 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter.
- Once the butter has melted, stir in the flour, whisking until blended.
- Remove pan from heat and whisk in the milk slowly until blended.
- Return pan to heat and let simmer over low heat about 5 minutes, stirring often,or until thick and smooth.
- Remove sauce from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a bowl, beat eggs and then add small portion of the cream sauce, whisking quickly as you do.
- Whisk in a bit more of the sauce, then add all the rest and whisk well until smooth.
- (You can to be careful not to add too much at first or you will cook the eggs.) Season sauce with some salt& pepper and a dash of nutmeg to taste, mixing well.
- Grease a 9x13" casserole with deep sides well and place hot macaroni in it.
- Top with meat sauce, then sprinkle meat sauce with remaining 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Pour cream sauce over all to cover.
- You may need to shake the pan a little to make everything settle in (not too hard- you don't want sauce flying everywhere).
- You may have a little extra cream sauce left over, depending on how deep your pan is.
- Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for approximately 40 minutes or until custard is firm (no jiggling).
- Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
PASTITSIO (GREEK PASTA BAKE)
Recipe video above. Greece's answer to Italian Lasagna! This traditional Greek dish is made with layers of pasta topped with a rich meat sauce perfumed with a hint of cinnamon and clove, topped with a thick layer of cheese sauce.For the neat layers pictured, arrange the pasta so they're all going in one direction, and rest the baked Pastitsio for 15 minutes before slicing. Excellent for making ahead (keeps for 4 to 5 days in the fridge) and freezes very well!
Provided by Nagi
Categories Main
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Heat in a large pot over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 2 - 3 minutes until onion is softened. Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it changes from red to brown.
- Add wine and and cook until the wine has mostly evaporated - about 3 minutes.
- Add remaining Meat Sauce ingredients. Stir well, bring to simmer, then reduce heat to medium / medium low so it's simmering gently. Cook for 45 min to 1 hour until liquid is mostly gone, stirring every now and then. It should be a thick mixture with little liquid, not saucy like Spaghetti Bolognese (Note 4).
- Remove from stove and cool. Preferably to room temperature, otherwise for at least 30 minutes before assembling (lid off).
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir for 1 minute.
- While stirring, slowly pour half the milk in. It should turn into a wet paste. Then again, while stirring, pour in remaining milk - the paste should easily dissolve so it's lump-free. If not, just whisk vigorously.
- Cook, stirring so the base doesn't catch, for 5 minutes or until thick enough so it coats the back of a wooden spoon thickly and you can draw a path across it with your finger.
- Remove from stove. Stir in nutmeg, cheese and salt.
- Leave to cool for 5 minutes. Then whisk in egg yolks quickly. Place lid on and set aside. If sauce cools and gets too thick to pour, just reheat on a low stove until pourable.
- When you're ready to assemble, cook the pasta per packet instructions, minus 1 minute.
- Drain, then return to the pot. Leave to cool for 3 minutes, then stir through egg whites. Gently stir through crumbled feta.
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types).
- Place pasta in a baking dish (33 x 22 x 7 cm / 9 x 13 x 2.75"), arranging them so they are all going in the same direction as best you can (for visual effect when sliced). Make the surface as level as you can.
- Top with Meat Sauce, then smooth the surface.
- Pour over Béchamel Sauce, then sprinkle over the cheese.
- Bake 30 min or until crust turns golden.
- Cool for at least 10 minutes so you can cut neat slices with tdhe layers neatly visible. Serve!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 597 kcal, Carbohydrate 48 g, Protein 35 g, Fat 28 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 137 mg, Sodium 1062 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 7 g, ServingSize 1 serving
GREEK MEAT PASTA (MAKARONIA ME KIMA)
A staple pasta dish in the Greek house. The cinnamon is what gives it the flavorful richness. The combination of Greek Mizithra cheese makes it even better.
Provided by GreekMuse
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 1h25m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir ground beef until browned, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, onion, water, tomato paste, cinnamon, sugar, cayenne, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Simmer meat sauce over medium-low heat until flavors combine, 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Pour meat sauce over rotini; mix well. Pour half the pasta mixture into a casserole dish; sprinkle with half the Mizithra cheese and half the mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining pasta mixture; sprinkle remaining Mizithra cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 514.8 calories, Carbohydrate 95.1 g, Cholesterol 68.9 mg, Fat 21.9 g, Fiber 5.8 g, Protein 23.9 g, SaturatedFat 8.7 g, Sodium 1277.9 mg, Sugar 11.1 g
MY BIG FAT GREEK MEAT & PASTA CASSEROLE
My recipe for Pastitsio, the classic Greek meat-and-pasta dish, takes a bit of work but is so worth it. This can prepared with all ground beef, or a ground beef/lamb blend. Recipe may be halved and baked in slightly less time in an 8 x 8 baking dish (remember to use exactly half of all listed ingredients!).
Provided by The Spice Guru
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 3h
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 45
Steps:
- IN a large food processor, chop 1 large onion, 1 medium bell pepper, one handful pitted kalamata olives, 1 handful flat leaf parsley leaves, and 8-12 garlic cloves.
- HEAT 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; ADD the above chopped vegetables, 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper; SAUTE until meat is browned and vegetables have softened.
- ADD 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 3/4 cup dry Greek red wine, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons Greek honey, 1 1/4 teaspoons crushed dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1/2 tablespoon ouzo or 1/4 teaspoon pure anise extract, 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried mint, 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper, 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, and 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese; STIR well; COVER; REDUCE heat; SIMMER for 45 minutes or longer (sauce will be thick); RE-SEASON sauce to taste with fine sea salt if needed (leave sauce just slightly under-salted since sauce will concentrate while baking).
- SEPARATE 4 large eggs and retain yolks in a medium to large mixing bowl (refrigerate egg whites sealed, for another use while fresh); WHISK in 4 cups whole milk until smooth; ADD 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 level teaspoon fine sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 pinch cayenne pepper; WHISK again until blended; SET aside.
- MELT 1/2 cup salted butter over low heat; ADD 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and cook for just one minute; POUR milk and egg mixture all at once into roux while whisking constantly; CONTINUE whisking often until sauce thickens up and begins to bubble; REMOVE from heat; WHISK in 3/4 cup powdered parmesan cheese until smooth and glossy; COVER loosely with plastic wrap; BLEND 1/2 cup of the BECHAMEL into the fully-simmered SAUCE.
- COOK the PASTA according to package directions for al dente (salt the boiling water and add olive oil to prevent boiling over); ALLOW to drain; MEANWHILE, into previous empty boiling pot add 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon minced flat leaf parsley, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper; STIR; ADD drained pasta and toss; RE-MOISTEN pasta if needed with water.
- PREHEAT oven to 350 F; SPRAY a 2-3 quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray; SPREAD 1/2 (one half) of the PASTA in bottom of baking dish; POUR the entire SAUCE mixture then smooth; ADD the remaining pasta over the SAUCE; POUR all of the BECHAMEL sauce over the pasta; LEVEL and smooth bechamel sauce. NOTE: YOU CAN SPRINKLE THE TOP OF CASSEROLE NOW LIGHTLY WITH GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE (PLUS MINCED FRESH PARSLEY IF DESIRED) OR YOU CAN GARNISH WHILE STILL HOT, JUST AFTER BAKING.
- BAKE for 1 hour.
- ALLOW to set 20 minutes before slicing.
- SERVE and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 514.3, Fat 25.1, SaturatedFat 11.5, Cholesterol 134.5, Sodium 793.9, Carbohydrate 44.2, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 8.8, Protein 25.1
GREEK NOODLE CASSEROLE (PASTITSIO)
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the noodles until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the lamb, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and mint. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- For the sauce: Simmer the milk and cream over medium heat in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the yogurt.
- Add the meat sauce to the pasta and toss well until the noodles are coated. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Spoon the cheese sauce evenly on top and bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped mint if using, and serve.
MY BIG FAT GREEK PASTA SALAD
Make and share this My Big Fat Greek Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.
Provided by GingerlyJ
Categories Spinach
Time 20m
Yield 2 pounds, 12-15 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- cook pasta til al dente. Drain.
- add veggies to pasta.
- for dressing assoil, vinegar, lemon juice, seasoning, sugar and garlic.
- toss in pasta.
- top with lemon zest,chopped mint and cheese.
- chill.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 382.9, Fat 23.9, SaturatedFat 5.8, Cholesterol 48.8, Sodium 243.2, Carbohydrate 34.1, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 5.1, Protein 9.1
MY BIG FAT GREEK EGGPLANT CASSEROLE
My recipe for Moussaka, the classic Greek meat-and-eggplant dish, takes a bit of work but is so worth it (my photo doesn't do it justice, since it was sliced cold the day after, then photographed!). This can prepared with all ground beef, or a ground beef/lamb blend. Recipe may be halved and baked in slightly less time in an 8 x 8 baking dish (remember to use exactly half of all listed ingredients!).
Provided by The Spice Guru
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 3h
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 44
Steps:
- PREPARE EGGPLANT: Cut off the stem sections of 2 large fresh eggplants. Peel eggplant using a sharp vegetable peeler. Cut eggplants lengthwise in even 1/8" thick slices. Pour 1/4-1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil into a large microwave-safe bowl. Mash 2 garlic cloves using a garlic press and add to oil. Add 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper. Stir. Heat mixture in microwave about 30-45 seconds on high. Rub or brush the sliced eggplant with the oil mixture until lightly coated. Wipe the bowl clean with a paper towel and set aside. Arrange seasoned eggplant single-layer onto a flat-ridged or press-type grill on medium-high heat. When the eggplant has dark grill marks, turn and grill other side the same (skip turning eggplant if using a press-type grill). Allow eggplant to "sweat" until needed. Sprinkle, then pat, finished eggplant slices liberally using 1/2 cup powdered parmesan cheese.
- IN a large food processor, chop 1 large onion, 1 medium bell pepper, one handful pitted kalamata olives, 1 handful flat leaf parsley leaves, and 8-12 garlic cloves.
- HEAT 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; ADD the above chopped vegetables, 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper; SAUTE until meat is browned and vegetables have softened.
- ADD 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 3/4 cup dry greek red wine, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons greek honey, 1 1/4 teaspoons crushed dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1/2 tablespoon ouzo or 1/4 teaspoon pure anise extract, 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried mint, 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper, 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, and 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese; STIR well; COVER; REDUCE heat; SIMMER for 45 minutes or longer (sauce will be thick); RE-SEASON sauce to taste with fine sea salt if needed (leave sauce just slightly under-salted since sauce will concentrate while baking).
- INTO the previously wiped large bowl, separate 4 large eggs, retaining the yolks in bowl (refrigerate egg whites sealed, for another use while fresh);.
- WHISK in 4 cups whole milk until smooth; ADD 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 level teaspoon fine sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 pinch cayenne pepper; WHISK again until blended; SET aside.
- MELT 1/2 cup salted butter over medium heat; ADD 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and cook for just one minute; POUR milk and egg mixture all at once into roux while whisking constantly; CONTINUE whisking often until sauce thickens up and begins to bubble; REMOVE from heat; WHISK in 3/4 cup powdered parmesan cheese until smooth and glossy; COVER loosely with plastic wrap; BLEND 1/2 cup of the BECHAMEL into the fully-simmered SAUCE.
- PREHEAT oven to 350 F; OIL a 2-3 quart casserole dish with olive oil; SPREAD 1/2 (one half) of the EGGPLANT single-layer in bottom of baking dish; POUR the entire SAUCE mixture over top then smooth; ADD the remaining EGGPLANT over the SAUCE; POUR all of the BECHAMEL sauce over the eggplant; SMOOTH bechamel sauce. NOTE: YOU CAN SPRINKLE THE TOP OF CASSEROLE NOW LIGHTLY WITH GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE (PLUS MINCED FRESH PARSLEY IF DESIRED) OR YOU CAN GARNISH WHILE STILL HOT, JUST AFTER BAKING.
- BAKE for 1 hour; ALLOW to rest 20 minutes before slicing.
- SERVE and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 439.8, Fat 29.1, SaturatedFat 12.5, Cholesterol 137.4, Sodium 892.8, Carbohydrate 21.2, Fiber 5, Sugar 10, Protein 22.4
KITTENCAL'S GROUND BEEF-MUSHROOM PASTA CASSEROLE
I have listed the water as optional if you are using a thick rich prepared pasta sauce then add it in, adjust the chili flakes to suit heat level, for ease --- for ease I have canned mushrooms listed you may of coarse use fresh sauteed if desired.
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories Meat
Time 55m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a medium pot cook the ground beef with onion until no longer pink; drain all fat.
- Add in garlic and chili flakes; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
- Add in 4-1/2 cups prepared pasta sauce and 1 teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes stirring occasionally (if you find that the sauce is too thick add in water and continue cooking for another 20 minutes).
- Season with more salt if desired and black pepper about halfway through cooking.
- Meanwhile in a large pot cook the pasta in boiling water until about halfway cooked, leave fairly firm do not cook until soft as the pasta will cook more in the oven) drain and place into a large bowl.
- Add in the meat sauce, two cans drained mushrooms and 2 cups mozzarella cheese; mix until well combined.
- Spread into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for about 35-40 minutes.
- Sprinkle with 1 cup (or more) mozzarella cheese and return to oven uncovered for another 3-4 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 530.7, Fat 24.3, SaturatedFat 11.1, Cholesterol 80.1, Sodium 1285.9, Carbohydrate 46.7, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 16.1, Protein 31
GREEK PASTA CASSEROLE
If you like olives, feta, tomatoes and pasta, then you'll love this comfort food! A twist on my baked ziti recipe. Beware that it makes a LOT of food. I usually divide it amongst 2 casserole dishes, cooking one and freezing the other for an easy dinner another night. Enjoy!
Provided by januarybride
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix ricotta, egg, garlic powder, oregano, onion flakes, 4oz feta and mozzarella in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix beef, tomatoes, olives, 1.5 cups marinara sauce and pasta.
- Grease the largest casserole dish you've got. . LOL. . .you can do a 9x13 and a pie plate or two 8x8s, whatever you choose. In each casserole dish, layer pasta mixture, then top with some of the cheese mixture, then more pasta mixture and more cheese mixture.
- Top with 1/2 cup (or more) marinara sauce and bake for 30-35 min, or until hot& bubbly.
LOW-FAT VEGETABLE AND PASTA CASSEROLE
Make and share this Low-Fat Vegetable and Pasta Casserole recipe from Food.com.
Provided by echo echo
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook pasta 6 minutes in boiling water.
- Add the broccoli through bell pepper to the pasta and simmer 6-8 minutes more until pasta is al dente; drain.
- Make white sauce: sauté the onions and garlic in butter 1-2 minutes in a saucepan over medium-high heat; stir in flour and milk and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes until mixture coats the back of a spoon; remove from heat.
- Setting aside 2 Tbs parmesan cheese, stir the rest of cheese and the pepper into the white sauce.
- Combine the pasta and vegetables, white sauce and 4 Tbs of the basil; place in 13 X 9-inch baking pan or 3-1/2 quart casserole.
- Mix the breadcrumbs with the remaining 2 Tbs parmesan & remaining 1 T basil; sprinkle over the casserole.
- Spray butter-flavored spray over top to coat.
- Bake at 350° approximately 30 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.3, Fat 5.2, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 11.8, Sodium 224.7, Carbohydrate 62.4, Fiber 7.8, Sugar 1.9, Protein 13.8
More about "my big fat greek meat pasta casserole recipes"
15 MINUTE GREEK PASTA - MIDWEST FOODIE
From midwestfoodieblog.com
4.9/5 (11)Calories 347 per servingCategory Main Dish
CHEESY GROUND BEEF PASTA CASSEROLE - AVERIE COOKS
From averiecooks.com
PASTITSIO RECIPE - GREEK LASAGNA | THE MEDITERRANEAN DISH
From themediterraneandish.com
4.9/5 (39)Uploaded Sep 16, 2018Category Entree or Side DishPublished Mar 8, 2021
GREEN BEANS IN TOMATO SAUCE
From more.ctv.ca
MY BIG FAT GREEK COOKBOOK: CLASSIC MEDITERRANEAN SOUL FOOD …
From barnesandnoble.com
ONE-SKILLET PASTITSIO - EATINGWELL
From eatingwell.com
GREEK PASTA BAKE CASSEROLE RECIPE (INSPIRED BY PASTITSIO) - KITCHN
From thekitchn.com
ONE-POT PENNE WITH CREAMY BASIL-GARLIC SAUCE RECIPE | KITCHN
From thekitchn.com
RECIPES: MY BIG FAT GREEK CASSEROLE, PASTITSIO - THE BOSTON GLOBE
From bostonglobe.com
PASTITSIO RECIPE | BON APPéTIT
From bonappetit.com
AUTHENTIC PASTITSIO RECIPE (TRADITIONAL GREEK LASAGNA) - THE …
From thehungrybites.com
MY BIG FAT GREEK MEAT & PASTA CASSEROLE RECIPE
From pinterest.com
MY BIG FAT GREEK MEAT & PASTA CASSEROLE – RECIPEFUEL | RECIPES, …
From recipefuel.com
MY BIG FAT GREEK COOKBOOK - APPLE BOOKS
From books.apple.com
THE ULTIMATE GREEK SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE RECIPE-MAKARONIA …
From olivetomato.com
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love