Description
Spiced Lamb and Eggplant Greek Pastitsio is an irresistible dish that combines layers of pasta, spiced lamb, and creamy sauce, baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 medium eggplant, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and sauté the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the ground lamb to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Add the diced eggplant and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the chopped parsley and remove from heat.
- Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a separate saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, flour, and nutmeg. Gradually add the warm milk to the egg mixture, whisking continuously to avoid curdling.
- In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by the lamb and eggplant mixture, then the remaining pasta. Pour the milk and egg mixture evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the entire dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground lamb with lentils or a mix of mushrooms and walnuts.
- Add a layer of sautéed spinach or kale for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Spiced Lamb and Eggplant Greek Pastitsio