Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of this Vegan Pastitsio, a dairy-free Greek pasta dish that features layers of savory lentil-tomato mixture, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy plant-based béchamel sauce. This Mediterranean casserole is a comforting and satisfying main course for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Dish:
- 12 ounces tubular pasta (like penne or bucatini)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 pound plant-based ground meat or lentils
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped parsley (optional)
For the béchamel sauce:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups unsweetened plant-based milk (like oat or almond)
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic. Add plant-based meat or lentils, spices, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and season. Simmer until thickened. Stir in parsley if using.
- Make the béchamel: In a saucepan, make a roux with olive oil and flour. Gradually whisk in plant milk and cook until thickened. Season with nutritional yeast, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble: Layer pasta, tomato-lentil mixture, remaining pasta, and béchamel sauce in the baking dish. Bake until golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the pastitsio rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of white wine to the sauce.
- You can make this dish a day ahead as the flavors deepen overnight.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
