PASTITSIO – GREEK MACARONI PIE

Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 1 hr | Servings: 6

Enjoy a Greek-style macaroni cheese pie at home with this simple Tastitsio recipe. This has layers of malty macaroni cheese in a spiced lamb mince. See notes for the beef & cheddar Mac & cheese version.

INGREDIENTS :

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500 g. lean lamb mince
• 235 g. dry elbow macaroni reserves the pasta water
• 50 g. butter
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons tomato puree
• 1 lamb stockpot
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
• 50 g. plain flour
• 125 ml of full-fat milk
• 135 g. plain natural yoghurt
• 80 g. Kefalotyri cheese or Parmesan
• Shetland sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds, toasted and ground

DIRECTIONS :

Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 180 degrees C or 375 degrees F.

Step 2: Following the package directions, cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander when done, reserving 300ml of pasta water. Rinse under cold water and set aside.

Step 3: In a saute pan, heat the oil. Add the onion and garlic to the hot oil and saute for about 8 to 10 minutes until soft. Then, add the lamb mince and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Continue to cook until all sides are brown.

Step 4: To make a lamb stock, whisk the lamb stock cube with the pasta water. Pour this into the lamb mixture and add the ground spices along with the tomato puree and chopped mint. Gently simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes until the mixture has thickened.

Step 5: In a small saucepan, melt the butter. To the melted butter, stir in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the milk and yoghurt.

Step 6: Place the pan back on the heat and cook for another 5 minutes. Take it from the heat again and whisk in half of the grated cheese.

Step 7: Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce. Then, into the bottom of a medium-sized baking dish, spoon half of the mixture and top with the spiced lamb mince, then the rest of the macaroni. Over the macaroni, sprinkle the rest of the cheese.

Step 8: Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 9: Remove from the oven when done and serve the Greek macaroni pie with a simple side salad. Enjoy!

Notes:

• If you want to make a beef & cheddar Mac & cheese version, just swap the lamb with ground beef. Also, use beef stock in place of lamb stock. Use 135 grams (1.5 c.) of grated mature cheddar instead of Kefalotyri (or Parmesan).

• Per serving of the Pastitsio, you’ll get 20 Smart Points.

Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 587 kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 2.3mg | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 2.5mg