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Pastitsio Goes Light

pasta, beef - ground

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic; minced
1 onion; chopped
2 carrots; finely diced
1 zucchini; finely chopped
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (19 oz) tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
----Pasta Custard Layers----
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup 2% cottage cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella chees
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups pasta shells
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat; cook garlic, onion, carrots and zucchini, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add beef, basil, oregano, cinnamon, salt, pepper and thyme; cook, breaking up meat with back of spoon, 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 thickened and almost all liquid is evaporated. Stir in parsley. Set aside. Pasta Custard Layers: In heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until thickened. In large bowl, whisk egg; whisk in about 1/2 cup of the hot milk sauce. Return 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 and return to pot. Add cheese sauce; toss to coat well. Spread half of the pasta mixture in greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish; spread meat mixture over top. Spread remaining pasta mixture over meat. Sprinkle with Parmesan. (Pastitsio can be prepared to this point, covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day. Let stand at room temperature or 30 minutes before baking.) Bake in 375°F oven for 1 hour or until lightly browned. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Contributor: Canadian Living - Winning Tastes of Beef

Yield: 6 servings

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