Pasticcio Casserole Omac Recipes

PASTITSIO

Steps:

• For the sauce, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add the beef and lamb, and saute over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until it's no longer pink, crumbling it with the back of wooden spoon. Drain off any excess liquid, add the wine, and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the garlic, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, and cayenne, and continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the bechamel, heat the milk and cream together in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until simmering. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly for 2 minutes. Pour the warm milk and cream mixture into the butter and flour mixture, whisking constantly. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and thick. Add the nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Stir in 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of the tomato and meat sauce, and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Stir in the eggs and yogurt and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Don't over-cook because the pasta will later be baked. Drain and set aside.
• Add the pasta to the meat and tomato sauce, and pour the mixture into a baking dish. Spread the bechamel evenly to cover the pasta and sprinkle with the remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake for 1 hour, until golden brown and bubbly. Set aside for 10 minutes and serve hot.

PASTITSIO

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the ground beef, and cook until crumbly and no longer pink. Pour in the water and tomato paste. Season with salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon; cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, adjust salt to taste, then refrigerate until cold. Once cold, remove any congealed fat, and thoroughly mix with 2 beaten eggs, and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, and rinse under cold water to cool. Mix the macaroni in 2 beaten eggs until well coated.
• Evenly spread half of the macaroni mixture into a 11x14x2 inch baking pan, sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the grated parmesan cheese, and drizzle with 1/2 cup of melted butter. Spread the meat mixture overtop, then finish with the remaining macaroni. Sprinkle the macaroni with another 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and drizzle with 1/2 cup of melted butter.
• Whisk together 4 beaten eggs with the half-and-half, 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, flour, and salt; whisk until well blended. Pour the cream mixture evenly over top of the pastitsio, and sprinkle with nutmeg.
• Cover the pan with foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake until the top has turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to stand for 15 minutes before serving.

GREEK NOODLE CASSEROLE (PASTITSIO)

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the noodles until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the onion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the lamb, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and mint. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• For the sauce: Simmer the milk and cream over medium heat in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the yogurt.
• Add the meat sauce to the pasta and toss well until the noodles are coated. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Spoon the cheese sauce evenly on top and bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped mint if using, and serve.

NIKKI'S PERFECT PASTITSIO

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Toss with butter; add grated Parmesan cheese. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef into crumbles; drain. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in tomato sauce, salt and cinnamon; heat through. Spoon over pasta. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese., In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Pour over beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese., Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes longer or until golden brown.,

MOSTACCIOLI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the soup, tomato sauce, oregano and salt. , Drain pasta; stir into beef mixture. Transfer to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish; top with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.

PASTICCIO

Steps:

• For the meat sauce: In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the ground beef and sear without disturbing until brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Break it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper and cook until deeply browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the Aleppo and cinnamon and stir to combine. Tie the thyme sprigs together with butcher's twine and add to the meat sauce. Deglaze with the wine, reduce by half, then stir in the crushed tomatoes and 1 cup water. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the tomatoes have begun to break down, about 30 minutes.
• For the béchamel sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and allow to melt. Whisk in the flour and allow to toast for 1 minute. Add the nutmeg and about a quarter of the milk and whisk as the mixture cooks and bubbles. Add another quarter of the milk and cook, whisking. Once the milk is incorporated, add the rest of the milk and whisk again. This will ensure a smooth bechamel sauce. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture has thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the kefalotyri cheese until melted. Whisk in the eggs and set aside.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Do not stir as you will disturb it. In order to have even layers, the pasta needs to be cooked undisturbed, with all the noodles facing the same way. Cook the pasta for 4 minutes less than the package instructions.
• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• To assemble: Brush a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with olive oil and set aside. Using tongs, remove the pasta from the pot and line the pasta evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. All the noodles should be facing the same direction. Add the melted butter and kefalotyri cheese and season with black pepper. Remove the bundle of thyme from the meat sauce and pour the meat sauce on top of the pasta. Using a rubber spatula, spread into an even layer without pressing down. Pour the béchamel over the meat sauce. Place the casserole dish onto the offset heat part of the grill, close the grill and bake until the top is golden brown and puffy, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the grill and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.
• Oven method: Bake uncovered at 400 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes.

HOLIDAY PASTA BAKE (PASTICCIO-ISH)

Steps:

• For the meat sauce: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. When hot, add the meat and cook, without stirring, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon, then add the onion, garlic and cinnamon and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the crushed tomatoes and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened and the flavors come together, about 1 hour.
• For the pasta bake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brush a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with olive oil and set aside.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt liberally. Add the pasta, give it a stir and cook for about 6 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss it with the meat sauce and 1 cup of the Parmesan. Transfer it to the casserole dish.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and toast for 1 minute. Add the milk and nutmeg, whisking continuously to combine. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture has thickened slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the remaining 1 cup Parmesan until melted. Whisk in the eggs and set aside.
• Pour the bechamel over the meat sauce. Bake until the top is golden brown and puffy, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

PASTITSIO

Steps:

• Make béchamel sauce:
• In a heavy saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat. Whisk in flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Whisk in milk and simmer sauce, stirring, 8 minutes. In a bowl whisk eggs and add 1 cup sauce in a stream, whisking. Whisk egg mixture into remaining sauce and whisk in dill, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Keep béchamel warm, its surface covered with plastic wrap.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a kettle of boiling salted water cook pasta until just al dente. Rinse pasta in a colander and drain well. In a bowl stir together lamb and braising liquid.
• In a buttered 2-quart shallow baking dish spread half of pasta evenly and spread lamb mixture evenly over it. Top evenly with remaining pasta and pour béchamel over pasta. Sprinkle pastitsio with cheese and bake in middle of oven until béchamel is set, about 40 minutes.

RIDICULOUSLY EASY CHICKEN POT PIE WITH PUFF PASTRY (OMAC)

Steps:

• The night before, add the frozen vegetables to a 8 x 8 baking dish. Add enough frozen chicken to fill the dish. Cover and thaw in the fridge overnight.
• The next day, add a can of soup and season with salt and pepper or any other seasonings that is desired (it was at this point I did cut the veggies down to bit size pieces).
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Top with puff pastry. Bake in oven for 45 minutes or until pastry is cooked and lightly browned. Let sit for 5 - 10 minutes, depending on size of vegetables (some really retain their heat).
• OMAC: Combine the soup, vegetables and chicken. Mix well. Arrange in an 8 x 8 cooking dish. Freeze. Once it is frozen, remove the veggie/chicken from the cooking dish and wrap in freezer wrap. Mark with date and use within 1 - 2 months. To use: Defrost in the fridge and continue with Step 3.

PASTITSIO IV

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook garlic, onions and beef until meat is browned; drain fat. Add tomatoes, pepper and oregano. Stir and cook about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese.
• Lightly coat a casserole or baking dish with olive oil and spread 1/2 the cooked pasta in it. Add the meat sauce and cover with the remaining pasta.
• Melt butter in a saucepan and blend in flour. Slowly add milk, stirring almost to boiling. In a bowl, blend remaining parmesan cheese and egg yolk and slowly add to the milk sauce, stirring constantly.
• Pour sauce over macaroni and bake for 30 minutes. Top should be golden and a little crispy.

PASTICCIO

Steps:

• Cook lasagne noodles in boiling,salted water until tender.
• Drain.
• Melt butter in pan and cook finely chopped onions and minced steak for 2-3mins, stirring constantly.
• Add tomato and salt&pepper to taste.
• Continue to cook over low heat until meat is tender.
• Cover pan if mixture is too dry.
• Blend with 1/2 cup grated cheese.
• Place half the lasagne in a greased casserole and cover with meat mixture, then remaining lasagne.
• Blend cream sauce with beaten egg and 1/4 cup grated cheese.
• Season and pour over the lasagne.
• Bake in a moderate oven for 40-50mins or until top is nicely browned.
• Serve hot.
• CREAM SAUCE:- Melt butter, blend in flour and cook gently for 2mins.
• Add milk gradually, stirring over a low heat until boiling.
• Add cream (optional) and season to taste with salt&pepper.

TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground beef and onion, adding garlic during the last half of browning, so it doesn't burn.
• Drain the fat and return meat to skillet.
• Add the tomato sauce, drained corn, seasonings, and 1 cup of water.
• Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
• Pour mixture into a 2 quart baking dish.
• Sprinkle the corn meal evenly over the beef mixture.
• Carefully pour in 1 cup water over a spoon back, so as not to disturb the corn meal.
• Bake for 30 minutes.

AMY'S GRANDMA'S STUFFED CABBAGE HOLOPTCHIS (OMAC)

Steps:

• If you have the cabbage heads frozen, just put under running luke warm water and peel them off and dry them with paper towels.
• Mix the meat ingredients in a bowl with your hands until well blended.
• Place the leaves on a flat surface, I used a large cutting board and place a "meatball" amount in a leaf.
• Roll it until just covered and then fold in the sides and finish rolling and place in a large pot, seam side down.
• Continue until all is used up.
• Place the sliced onions on top of the cabbage rolls in the pot.
• In a bowl (I rinsed the bowl that had the meat mixture and used that) mix all the sauce ingredients and pour over the onions.
• Bring the pot to a boil and then lower the heat, cover and simmer for an hour and a half.

PASTICCIO CASSEROLE (OMAC)

Steps:

• Botton Layer: Combine macaroni, eggs and cheese. Spread over bottom of greased 13 x 9 ~ or ~ two 8 x 8 casserole dishes. Set aside.
• Filling: In a large skillet, cook beef, mushrooms and onion until tender and browned. Drain fat. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Simmer, uncovered while preparing topping.
• Top Layer: In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and nutmeg. Add milk; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add a bit of the milk mixture to the eggs, stir quickly, then return to the saucepan. Cook over low heat for 1 minute longer.
• To assemble: Spread meat filling over macaroni. Spread top layer over the filling. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
• Preheat oven to 350. Cook the casserole for 35 - 40 minutes or until heated through.