Weight Watcher Recipe: Pastitsio

So this isn't as great as the "real-deal", but it is pretty good, and if you really like comfort food or Greek food, this recipe is for you (it's super easy too). All of my kids ate it for dinner (Emma had 2 helpings), and my picky husband liked it too. The portions are generous, and if you substitute Ground Turkey (lean 93/7) for the beef, you'll have an 8 Points Plus dish vs. 9 Points Plus


INGREDIENTS:

• 1 spray(s) cooking spray
• 1 pound(s) raw lean ground beef (I used 93/7 ground turkey instead of beef - drops the point value by 1)
• 1 medium onion(s), chopped
• 8 oz canned tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup(s) red wine, dry
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 8 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, such as penne
• 1 large egg(s), lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 Tbsp butter, or margarine
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp table salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 large egg(s), lightly beaten
• 2 large egg white(s), lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup(s) shredded parmesan cheese, divided

 

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350º F. Coat a 9- X 13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.

 

To make meat sauce, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef and onion, stirring frequently, until meat is brown and onion is tender, about 10 minutes; drain off fat. Stir in tomato sauce, wine and cinnamon. Bring to boil and then reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Combine 1 beaten egg, 3/4 cup of evaporated milk and cooked pasta in a large bowl; toss to combine and set aside.

 

To make cream sauce, melt butter or margarine in a small saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt and pepper. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of evaporated milk; cook, stirring, until thickened and slightly bubbly, about 5 to 8 minutes. Very gradually stir 1 beaten egg and egg whites into hot milk mixture (be careful not to ‘scramble’ eggs); set aside.

 

Layer half of pasta mixture in prepared dish; spread with meat sauce and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of cheese. Top with remaining pasta mixture; pour cream sauce over top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

 

Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake about 15 minutes more or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.