Quick Pastitsio

I will be completely honest, I have never heard of the term "pastitsio". I googled it and it is a Greek and Mediterranean dish that is baked pasta that has ground beef and bechamel sauce. Since this is the first time I've come across this term, I felt obligated to make it. The Emmys are on tonight which I super excited about for two reasons. First, Jane Lynch is the host and I LOVE her. Second, we can actually watch this on our TV in our apartment since it is on one of the four stations we get from our bunny ears!!! We invited another couple over for dinner so I thought this would be a great dish to serve as I can assemble it ahead of time. I also am going to serve a spinach, orzo, and chickpea soup that I have been simmering in the crock pot all day.

Quick Pastitsio
Source: Adapted from Cooking Light Magazine, October 2011
Serves 6


8 oz uncooked Rigatoni pasta
1/4 lb ground turkey (supposed to use beef but I had left over turkey in the fridge)
6 sun dried- tomato trader Joe meatballs (thawed)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 chopped onion
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
2 cups of skim milk
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
3/4 cup (6 oz) of cream cheese, softened and cubed
3/4 cup shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
salt and pepper


Preheat broiler.  Cook pasta according to package.  You want the pasta to be al dente so once done cooking run under cold water to stop the pasta from continuing to cook.  Heat olive oil and the skillet over medium heat.  Add ground chicken or turkey to the pan and saute for 5 minutes or until browned.  Remove from pan.  Add onions to pan and saute for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add garlic and saute for 1 minute stirring constantly so the garlic does not burn.  Add beef back into skillet and season with salt and pepper. 

Add flour and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.  Stir in milk, tomatoes, and cream cheese.  Mix until smooth.  Bring to a simmer.  Cook 2 minutes or until heated thoroughly. 

Stir in pasta. 

Spoon pasta mixture into a 13 x 9 inch broiler safe baking dish, coated in cooking spray.  Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top.  Broil for 4 minutes or until golden.  While pasta is in the oven, chop parsley.  A quick tip is to remove the leaves from the stem and then use scissors to chop the parsley.  

Sprinkle with parsley before serving.


Notes:  I made this earlier in the day.  Instead of broiling.  I heated the pasta dish up for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. I then put it under the broiler for 4 minutes before serving. 

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Moe, 9.1 out of 10
Miss J, 8 out of 10

- Miss J