Lightened Spinach Pastitsio Bake
Indulge in a healthier twist on the classic Greek Pastitsio with this deliciously creamy Spinach Pastitsio Bake. Featuring layers of tender penne pasta, a rich ground beef and spinach mixture, and a luscious cheese sauce, this dish is packed with flavor while being mindful of your waistline. Perfect for family gatherings or as a comforting weeknight dinner, you can also try baking it in individual gratin dishes for a fun presentation. This recipe comes straight from a Weight Watchers cookbook, ensuring it's deliciously satisfying without compromising your health goals.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground round
1 lb (brown and crumble)
Onion, chopped
1 cup (chopped)
Carrot, chopped
1/2 cup (chopped)
Diced tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (canned)
Salt
1 teaspoon, divided (dissolved)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon, divided (freshly ground)
Frozen chopped spinach
1 (10 ounce) package (thawed, drained, and squeezed dry)
Dried oregano
1 teaspoon (dried)
Ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
Penne pasta
2 cups (uncooked)
1% low-fat milk
4 1/2 cups (measured)
Black peppercorns
12 (whole)
Onion, thinly sliced
1 small (sliced)
Bay leaf
1 (whole)
Light butter
3 tablespoons (melted)
All-purpose flour
1/3 cup (sifted)
Ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
Fresh parmesan cheese
3/4 cup, divided (grated)
Cooking spray
as needed (for coating dish)
Instructions
1
In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground round, chopped onion, and chopped carrot together until the beef is browned. Use a spoon to crumble the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat, then return the mixture to the skillet.
2
Add the canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, thawed and drained spinach, dried oregano, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer uncovered for about 28 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally.
3
While the meat mixture simmers, cook the penne pasta according to package directions, omitting any salt or fat. Drain and set aside.
4
In a large heavy saucepan, combine 4 1/2 cups of the low-fat milk, whole peppercorns, thinly sliced onion, and bay leaf. Heat over medium-high until it reaches 180°F, or until small bubbles form at the edges, without boiling. Once heated, remove from heat, cover, and let it stand for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, and set aside the milk mixture.
5
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
6
Melt light butter in a separate large saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, constantly stirring. Gradually add the reserved milk mixture, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining salt, pepper, and nutmeg, then remove from heat. Mix in 1/2 cup of the grated parmesan cheese. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of this cheese sauce for later use.
7
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the remaining cheese sauce. In a 13x9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray, spoon half of the pasta mixture as the bottom layer. Top with the meat and spinach mixture, then spread the remaining pasta mixture on top. Pour the reserved cheese sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top. Once done, allow the dish to stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lightened Spinach Pastitsio Bake?
It is a healthier version of the classic Greek Pastitsio dish, featuring layers of penne pasta, a ground beef and spinach mixture, and a creamy cheese sauce.
What makes this recipe a lightened version?
This recipe uses leaner ground round, 1% low-fat milk, light butter, and a significant amount of spinach to reduce calories while maintaining flavor.
How should the frozen spinach be prepared?
The frozen chopped spinach should be thawed, drained, and squeezed dry before being added to the meat mixture.
Which spices are used in the meat mixture?
The meat mixture is seasoned with dried oregano, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon to provide an authentic Greek flavor profile.
How long does the meat mixture need to simmer?
The meat and spinach mixture should simmer uncovered for approximately 28 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
What is the process for infusing the milk for the sauce?
Combine milk with peppercorns, sliced onion, and a bay leaf; heat to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, then let it stand for 10 minutes before straining.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does the dish take to bake?
The pastitsio should bake for 25 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden.
Is it necessary to let the dish rest after baking?
Yes, you should allow the dish to stand for 10 minutes before serving to help the layers set.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of uncooked penne pasta.
How is the cheese sauce prepared?
Melt light butter, whisk in flour, gradually add infused milk until thick, then stir in 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
What is the first layer in the baking dish?
The bottom layer consists of half of the cooked pasta mixed with the cheese sauce.
How much parmesan cheese is required in total?
A total of 3/4 cup of fresh parmesan cheese is used, with 1/2 cup in the sauce and 1/4 cup for the topping.
Can I bake this in different types of dishes?
Yes, while a 13x9-inch dish is standard, you can also use individual gratin dishes for a fun presentation.
Should the ground beef be drained?
Yes, after cooking the ground round with onions and carrots, you must drain any excess fat before adding other ingredients.
Which vegetables are cooked with the beef?
The beef is cooked with one cup of chopped onion and half a cup of chopped carrot.
How should the pasta be cooked?
Cook the penne according to package directions but omit any salt or fat, then drain it well.
What should I do with the peppercorns and bay leaf after infusing the milk?
Strain the milk mixture through a sieve into a bowl and discard the peppercorns, onion slices, and bay leaf.
How much milk is needed for the sauce?
The recipe requires 4 1/2 cups of 1% low-fat milk.
Why is nutmeg used in the sauce?
Nutmeg provides a traditional warm aroma and flavor that complements the creamy cheese sauce.
How much flour is used for the roux?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of sifted all-purpose flour to thicken the sauce.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 13x9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray is recommended.
Is oil used for cooking the meat?
No, the meat is cooked in a nonstick skillet which allows it to brown without the need for extra oil.
Should I use fresh or canned tomatoes?
The recipe specifies using one 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes.
When is the cinnamon added to the dish?
Cinnamon is added to the meat mixture along with the tomatoes, spinach, and other seasonings before simmering.
What should the milk temperature reach during heating?
The milk should reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit, which is when small bubbles form at the edges.
What is the source of this recipe?
This recipe is featured in a Weight Watchers cookbook, emphasizing its health-conscious design.
Should the meat mixture be covered while it simmers?
No, it should be simmered uncovered to allow the liquid to evaporate effectively.
How much sauce is reserved for the final topping?
You should reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cheese sauce to pour evenly over the top layer of the bake.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 20 ingredients used to make this Lightened Spinach Pastitsio Bake.