↑This stove top Pastitsio is a simple and light version
of the very traditional Greek pasta dish.
“All in good time”, “Good things come to those who wait”, “Patience is a virtue”, “There will be no wine before it’s time”, wait that last one is just plain silly! There’s ALWAYS time for wine”!! But those previous sayings always get me while I am anxiously waiting for my absolute favorite Greek dinner! I love, love, love pastitsio!! And my mom seriously makes the best Pastitsio!
If you are unfamiliar with this classic Greek pasta dish, then I must enlighten you. The components of this mouth-watering dish is pasta, combined with a hearty, cinnamon infused meat sauce that has simmered for just under an hour. The pasta is then cooled because over top of it will be poured a rich, creamy, egg based bechamel sauce that will rise after an hour in the oven. This dish is heavenly! Don’t be fooled by the pillowy top. It is NOT a light dish. But that can be said for a slew of delectable dishes! When you eat them, you enjoy them and forget about calories and fat!
The fat and calories are not the reason I avoid serving my family this traditional delight. It’s just that I don’t have the time, the patience, or the stamina to conjure up this sort of dinner. However, I’m not the sort to deprive my family of a deliciously savory meal. So I created my own, quick, easy and light stove top version of this Greek pasta dish. The meat sauce comes together quickly while the pasta is boiling. The egg-laden white sauce is omitted and replaced with a bit of heavy cream and plain Greek yogurt. All the flavors of my traditional Pastitsio in a fraction of the time and with minimal effort!
I think this Pastitsio would make my mom proud. I still love her cooking, but this pasta dish may just take the title of best Pastitsio ever! Grab the Ouzo! Opa!
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Stove Top Pastitsio
This stove top Pastitsio is a simple and light version of the very traditional Greek pasta dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground sirloin
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Greek seasoning
- Salt, pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt such as Chobani
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package direction.
- Heat ground beef in a large skillet until browned. Add onions and garlic and cook another 2 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Stir in tomato paste, salt, pepper, nutmeg and Greek seasoning. Add heavy cream and Greek yogurt stirring until well blended. Reduce heat and cook until thick, about 1 minute.
- Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid. Combine pasta, water and ground beef mixture. Add Parmesan cheese just before serving. Serve immediately
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 316Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 70mgSodium 387mgCarbohydrates 24gFiber 2gSugar 4gProtein 24g
Julie (@JuliesEatsTreat) says
This sounds so unique and interesting! Awesome recipe!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Julie!
Laura @ The Rookie Cook says
Yum, sounds delicious! I love a lightened up meal, although the original also sounded divine!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Laura. The original is amazing!
Jen Nikolaus says
Oh! My kind of recipe!! Easy, healthier and yum! I’ve made a similar sort of dish and my boys loved it so I’m definitely going to try this! Thanks for sharing, Tanya!
Lemonsforlulu says
I hope you do try it Jen! Thank you!
marcie@flavorthemoments says
Bravo for this wonderful, quick version! I have always loved pastitsio, but have never made it because yes — it is time consuming. I will try it this way!
Lemonsforlulu says
Oh boy it takes all day! It’s worth it, but I just can’t find that kind of time. Thank you Marcie!
Charlotte Moore says
I think yours sounds better. The egg mixture does not appeal to me.
Lemonsforlulu says
I can understand that, it’s very thick. I sort like NOT having that layer myself!
Aimee @ See Aimee Cook says
Oooh, that sounds delicious! Pinned 🙂
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Well, you know I love Greek inspired food! Pinned and will share on FB tomorrow!
cindyeikenberg says
Tanya, this looks and sounds so delicious and I’ve never tried this before – but I will now! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe. Pinning and buffering!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
This is very intriguing to me because I only make pasta the Italian way but man this looks great! Thanks for sharing!!
Gloria Phillips (@simplygloria1) says
I love a good bechamel sauce! This dish is definitely making me drool! Pinning!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
What a great idea to simplify and lighten up a classic dish!
kate | Food Babbles says
This is a dish I’d never heard of but it sounds just wonderful! So hearty and flavorful. I know my family would love this. Gotta try it!
Alison says
Yum!!! This is my favorite food ever! My brother’s Nouna makes my favorite! I will have to try it 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Allison, this was a good substitute although there is nothing quite like the real thing! I’m sure Nouna’s is pretty darn good!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
OMG. This looks so good, Tanya, I wish I had the stuff to make it right now because I totally would!
Lemonsforlulu says
You need to make a grocery run Julie! It’ll be worth it. Thanks you!
The Domestic Rebel says
I lalalalalaLOOOVE pastitsio! One of my favorite comforting Greek dishes. This looks WAY easier than layering everything with bechemal and baking it.
Samantha @ Five Heart Home says
This looks like a Greek version of skillet lasagna…yum! Can’t wait to try it! Hopping over from Sundae Scoop to say thanks for the recipe!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Samantha!
Patricia Krank says
This looks so amazing. I’m actually torturing myself by coming over to see what the ingredients are because my hubby has called for a no-carb diet for awhile! Ugh! I may have to make this while he is away at work! Thanks for sharing your recipe and blessings to you, Patti@OldThingsNew
Lemonsforlulu says
Oh no! I’m so sorry, this one will be difficult for your husband to pass up!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
This pasta dish looks fabulous, definitely going to give this a try for dinner one night soon! Thanks for sharing!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Pamela!
cookingwithcurls says
OMG…Pastitsio is my absolute FAVORITE dish!!! I used to get it every time we went to The Greek Place, the one that closed last year 🙁 I am soooo totally going to try this!!! I will miss the billowy top however 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Oh that billowy top is so good and so bad isn’t it? This was nice, light version!
Cathy says
I LOVE all things Greek, Tanya! I may have to sub turkey…but this dish looks delicious!
Lemonsforlulu says
I think turkey would be perfect Cathy. I think you will love this dish!
Kat_iwantcrazyblog says
This looks so good! Saw your link Tasty Tuesdays and had to click over! I’ve never made much greek food so I’m going to have to give this a try!
Lemonsforlulu says
It was delicious Kat!
Lane R (@supperforasteal) says
Would have never thought to make pastitsio like this. Looks great!
Lemonsforlulu says
It was really good Lane!
aiming4simple says
What a great idea to make pastitsio quicker and simpler! I’ve wanted to make the traditional version, but never have because of the time involved.
Karly says
This has me craving pasta for sure! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Karly!
Leslie Gagne says
OMG! My best friend has turned me into a Greek….. Love it and all of the Greek cooking! I’ve actually made some the wonderful Greek pastries. The recipes was from her mother and they were almost a century old.
Mary says
Looks delicious. I am making it this week. Just wondering if that is “¼ CUP plain Greek yogurt such as Chobani”?
Lemonsforlulu says
Yes and I believe I fixed the recipe. Thanks Mary!
Kalamity Kelli says
Congratulations on being featured!! This looks so doggone good!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Kelli! This might be one of the best things I ever made!
Jenne says
Looks simply delish! Pinning!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Jenne!
Chung-Ah (@damn_delicious) says
What an easy weeknight meal!
Lemonsforlulu says
It is so easy and so good! Thank you!
Lisa @ Wine & Glue says
We made this tonight Tanya! SO EASY! And so delicious!
Lemonsforlulu says
Awe thank you Lisa!! You have made me on happy blogger!
Sandra says
Pastitsio has always been a favorite. Yum! I don’t have Greek Seasoning. Can you recommend individual herbs and spices? I have Cavenders, which I figure might suffice. Thanks!
MEAl5 says
SO EASY! And so delicious!
Tanya Schroeder says
Thank you!
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says
This stove top pastitsio recipe looks absolutely fantastic. Beautiful photos, too. I look forward to trying this.
Can i post it on my blog?
Bella Hardy says
I had a similar stove top pastitsio at a restaurant recently and found myself craving it and wondering if I could recreate it today.
Tanya Schroeder says
I love this quick and easy stove-top version. Traditional pastitsio takes a long time and it is quite rich!
Veronica says
I am trying out new Greek cuisines these days and this dish was the top dish that I made at my sister’s one dish party.
Mona J Yoder says
You have got some great posts in your blog. Keep up with the good work.
Health and Beauty Facts says
wow i love t hat SO much… can i cut and paste it into my blog?? but give u credit, of course???
Tanya Schroeder says
No, I don’t think you should copy an paste it.
paul says
wow beautiful! so cute and great pics, lovely memories for future to remember past.