4.5 from 33 votes
Italian-Style Pastitsio
An Italian spin on the traditional Greek dish with layers of pasta, meat, a cream sauce, and cheese.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Additional Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Calories: 728 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Fusion , American
Ingredients
For the Pasta Layer:
- 1 pound Spaghetti
- 4 eggs
- 4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup salted butter, cut into small cubes
For the Cream Layer:
- 8 ounces cottage cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
For the Meat Sauce Layer:
- 1 pound ground sweet italian sausage
- 3 cups pasta sauce (your favorite homemade or store-bought)
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
For the Topping:
- 16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese drained, blotted dry and sliced
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the spaghetti to al dente as directed on package. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Drain the spaghetti, and put it back to the hot pot. Add the butter and the egg mixture to the spaghetti, and quickly stir with a wooden spoon until evenly coated and the eggs have formed a sauce. Pour the spaghetti into the prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer.
- Add the cottage cheese and cream cheese to the pot (off the heat) and stir with a wooden spoon until the cream cheese is melted down and the mixture is completely combined. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer in the pan, and spread it into an even layer.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and brown the sausage, breaking it up while it cooks, until it's no longer pink in the middle. Remove from heat, use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to the now-empty pot, and stir in the pasta sauce and heavy cream. Spread the mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Lay the slices of mozzarella over top of the sausage layer. Bake until the filling the bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top, 30 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle with the basil. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Make-Ahead Note: This casserole can be assembled through step #4, covered with plastic wrap, and refrigerated overnight. Let sit at room temperature while the oven preheats and then proceed with step #5.
- Make-Ahead Note
- Nutritional values are based on one serving
Nutrition Information
Calories
728kcal
(36%)
Carbohydrates
41g
(14%)
Protein
31g
(62%)
Fat
48g
(74%)
Saturated Fat
24g
(120%)
Cholesterol
201mg
(67%)
Sodium
1344mg
(56%)
Potassium
592mg
(17%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1625IU
(33%)
Vitamin C
8.2mg
(9%)
Calcium
371mg
(37%)
Iron
2.6mg
(14%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8to 10 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 728
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 728kcal | 36% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 48g | 74% |
| Saturated Fat | 24g | 120% |
| Cholesterol | 201mg | 67% |
| Sodium | 1344mg | 56% |
| Potassium | 592mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1625IU | 33% |
| Vitamin C | 8.2mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 371mg | 37% |
| Iron | 2.6mg | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.