Pastitsio for Two

SME_Cook's Note:

This is a fantastic Pastitsio recipe I created from the best of several recipes. It is lower in fat since it uses ground turkey. I often multiply the recipe by four and then freeze three of them...only freezing the bottom two layers. Then I make the sauce fresh before I bake.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

Pasta Layer

• 4 ounces penne
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Meat Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3/4 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1/4 cup beef stock
• 1/8 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Topping

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/8 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon dry breadcrumbs

Directions:

1. Grease a 8" x 8" baking dish (or any smaller casserole dish).
2. Add the pasta to a large pan of boiling water; boil, uncovered, until just tender; drain.
3. Combine the hot pasta, eggs and cheese in a large bowl; mix well.
4. Press into casserole dish.
5. To make the meat sauce, heat the oil in a large pan, add the onions and ground turkey and cook, stirring, until the meat is well browned.
6. Stir in the tomato puree, beef stock, wine, and spices; simmer uncovered until thick; cool.
7. Stir in the egg.
8. Layer on top of pasta layer in casserole dish.
9. Stop here to freeze or continue to bake and eat immediately.
10. To make the topping, melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the flour.
11. Stir over low heat until bubbling.
12. Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the milk.
13. Stir over low heat until the sauce boils and thickens.
14. Stir in the cheese and cool slightly.
15. Stir in the egg yolks.
16. Pour sauce over the meat layer and smooth the surface.
17. Sprinkle with the breadcrumbs.
18. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 minutes or until lightly browned.
19. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
20. You can also freeze it at this point and just reheat the entire dish in the oven.

Reviews

[Chef #496354]

This recipe was fantastic! It took me a lot longer to prepare - the topping took me a really long time - but it was definitely worth the effort! Our only complaint was there weren't enough left overs!