Yield: 6 servings
Measure | Ingredient |
---|---|
1 teaspoon | Vegetable oil |
2 \N | Garlic cloves; minced |
1 \N | Onion; chopped |
2 \N | Carrots; finely diced |
1 \N | Zucchini; finely chopped |
¾ pounds | Lean ground beef |
1½ teaspoon | Dried basil |
1 teaspoon | Dried oregano |
1 teaspoon | Cinnamon |
½ teaspoon | Salt |
½ teaspoon | Pepper |
½ teaspoon | Dried thyme |
2 tablespoons | Tomato paste |
19 ounces | Canned tomatoes |
¼ cup | Fresh parsley; chopped |
3 tablespoons | Butter |
¼ cup | All-purpose flour |
3 cups | Milk |
1 \N | Egg |
1 cup | 2% cottage cheese |
1 cup | Mozzarella; part-skin, |
\N \N | Shredded |
½ teaspoon | Salt |
½ teaspoon | Pepper |
¼ teaspoon | Nutmeg |
3 cups | Pasta shells |
¼ cup | Parmesan; freshly grated |
PASTA CUSTARD LAYERS
This is the Greek variation of lasagna.
In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat; cook garlic, onion, carrots and zucchini, stirring, for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add beef, basil, oregano, cinnamon, salt, pepper and thyme; cook, stirring to break up beef, for about 3 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Pour in tomato paste and tomatoes, mashing tomatoes with fork; bring to boil.
Reduce heat; simmer for about 20 minutes or until almost all liquid is evaporated and sauce is thickened. Stir in parsley; set aside.
Pasta Custard Layers: In heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. gradually whisk in milk; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low or until thickened. In large bowl, whisk eggs; whisk in about ½ cup of the hot milk sauce. Return mixture to saucepan; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; blend in cottage cheese, mozzarella, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta for about 8 minutes or until almost tender. Drain; return to pot. Add cheese sauce; toss well.
Spread half of the pasta mixture in greased 13x9-inch baking dish; spread meat mixture over top. Spread remaining pasta mixture evenly over meat.
Sprinkle with Parmesan.
[Can be prepared to this point, covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.] Bake in 375F 190C oven for 1 hour or until heated through and top is lightly browned.
Let stand for 10 minutes.
Serve with a light green salad tossed with a sun-dried tomato vinaigrette.
Source: Canadian Living magazine, Nov 95 Presented in article "Hearty and Healthy: Casseroles See The Light" Per serving: 557 Calories (kcal); 24g Total Fat; (39% calories from fat); 24g Protein; 60g Carbohydrate; 106mg Cholesterol; 714mg Sodium Food Exchanges: 3 Grain(Starch); 1½ Lean Meat; 2 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 3 ½ Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates Converted by MM_Buster v2.0n.