Spinach Pastitsio

Submitted by cookinrooky

"This Greek inspired dish has been altered to be kind to your waist line! Another option for preparing this dish is to cook in individual gratin dishes. I haven't tried it but can't wait to. This comes from a Weight Watchers cookbook!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 35mins
• Ingredients: 20
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1 lb ground round
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup carrot, chopped
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1 (10 ounce) 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

directions

1. Cook beef, onion, and carrot in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain well; return meat mixture to pan. Add tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and next 4 ingredients;bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer uncovered, 28 minutes or until liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.
3. Combine milk and next 3 ingredients in a large, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat to 180°F or until tiny bubbles form around edge(DO NOT BOIL). Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 10 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl; discard solids. Set milk mixture aside.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F.
5. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour, stirring well with a whisk. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk mixture, stirring well with a whisk;cook over medium heat until thick (about 10 minutes). Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg. Remove form heat; stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Reserve 1 1/2 cups sauce.
6. Combine pasta and remaining cheese sauce. Spoon half of pasta mixture into a 13x9-inch baking dish coated with a cooking spray. Spoon meat mixture over pasta. Top with remaining pasta mixture. Pour reserved cheese sauce evenly over pasta layer. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
7. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.