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    Home » Main Course » Stove Top Pastitsio {dairy-free}

    Published: Jul 29, 2013 · Modified: Jun 17, 2020 by Lisa Johnson

    Stove Top Pastitsio {dairy-free}

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    Stove Top Pastitsio is a faster version of the traditional Greek version! cookingwithcurls.com

    I am back with another awesome recipe redux of Stove Top Pastitsio {dairy-free} that is absolutely amazing.....if I do say so myself! Pastitsio is one of my all time favorite dishes! I used to order it EVERY time we went the The Greek Place. I even made it at home, back before I had to eliminate dairy from our meals.

    Stove Top Pastitsio is a faster version of the traditional Greek version! cookingwithcurls.com

    So you can imagine my excitement I saw that Tanya at lemons for lulu posted Stove Top Pastitsio and I realized immediately how I could tweak it and finally have my favorite dish again <insert happy dance>!

    What is Pastitsio?

    Pastitsio is a traditional Greek baked pasta dish that combines savory nutmeg/cinnamon spiced lamb or beef, and a cream and butter based bechamel sauce that is topped with cheese and baked to perfection. This dish is so much easier to make, and does not loose any of the original flavors.....

    Stove Top Pastitsio is a simplified version of a Greek classic! cookingwithcurls.com

    Okay it does loose it's fluffy, yummy, souffle like top, but we will survive! I am pretty sure that The Greek Place used a combination of beef and lamb, but I decided to just use the ground beef.

    How do you make Stove Top Pastitsio dairy-free?

    Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes to soften.

    Add the ground beef and garlic, and cook until no longer pink.

    Stir in the tomato paste, nutmeg, basil, salt and pepper

    Add the coconut milk and stir until well blended. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute to thicken.

    Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the beef mixture, and stir to combine.

    Add the Parmesan cheese just before serving.

    Serve immediately.

    I am very lucky that I managed to get any photos taken before the vulchers with their plates swooped in! I think Alex came back for two more helpings. This is definitely a hit and will be made many more times in the future.

    Stove Top Pastitsio {dairy-free} is a simplified version of a classic Greek dish that everyone will love! cookingwithcurls

    So a big huge thank you to my friend Tanya for inspiring this amazing meal! 🙂  She has so many water watering recipes that you should check out when you get a chance. Her Strawberry Donut Holes are high on my To Do List!

    More delicious pasta recipes:

    • Mediterranean Pasta Salad
    • Chicken Enchilada Pasta
    • Cheesy Pizza Pasta Casserole {dairy-free}
    • Sesame Noodles with Grilled Chicken
    • Double Shrimp Pasta
    • Pasta for a Crowd

    Enjoy!!

    Stove Top Pastitsio is a faster version of the traditional Greek version! cookingwithcurls.com

    Stove Top Pastitsio {dairy-free}

    Stove Top Pastitsio {dairy-free} is a simplified version of a Greek classic that everyone in the family will love!
    4.43 from 7 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Greek
    Keyword: pasta, recipe, greek, beef, dairy-free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 577kcal
    Author: Lisa Johnson

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ cup yellow onion diced
    • 2 large cloves garlic minced
    • 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
    • 4 Tablespoons tomato paste
    • ½ teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
    • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil
    • sea salt & fresh ground pepper
    • ¾ cups full fat coconut milk
    • 1 pound penne pasta cooked, drained -reserve 1 cup of pasta water
    • ¼ cup vegan Parmesan cheese
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes to soften.
    • Add the ground beef and garlic, and cook until no longer pink.
    • Stir in the tomato paste, nutmeg, basil, salt and pepper
    • Add the coconut milk and stir until well blended. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute to thicken.
    • Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the beef mixture, and stir to combine.
    • Add the Parmesan cheese just before serving.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • You can also make this dish using real 1/4 Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 577kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 552mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 3.4mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 3.8mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. tanya says

      July 29, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      I'm go hungry!!! This looks amazing Lisa! I think the coconut milk was an extraordinary substitution! I have to give that a try myself! While I love the traditional pastitsio and always will, this is an excellent substitute! Great work Lisa!

      Reply
    2. Cindy Eikenberg says

      July 30, 2013 at 6:00 am

      Lisa, this looks so delicious!!! Yum! Pinning and have a happy Tuesday!

      Reply
    3. marcie@flavorthemoments says

      July 30, 2013 at 9:47 am

      Pastitsio is one of my favorite dishes, too! You always make such yummy Greek dishes, and I love how you put your dairy free spin on them. Looks delicious!

      Reply
    4. Julia says

      July 30, 2013 at 11:08 am

      Wow. I am so impressed that you made this dairy free! I will definitely have to try it!

      Reply
    5. Michelle says

      July 31, 2013 at 4:47 am

      This looks so good! I've never heard of Pastitsio but I think we will be trying it! Pinning it now!

      Reply
    6. Single Mom in the South says

      July 31, 2013 at 6:11 am

      YAY! You made it lighter. I LOVE Pastitsio. The last time I had it was at Cat Cora's restaurant in Disney World. Full on fat and SO yummy! I've been subbing greek yogurt in a lot of things lately!

      Reply
    7. Meranda@fairytalesandfitness says

      July 31, 2013 at 7:36 am

      Hi Lisa! I found you on SITS Girls. This looks yummy! I'm loving your blog. Wish I would have found this when I was teaching my high school foods class! You have so many yummy ideas. Great photos too. It is often hard to take great pics of food!

      Reply
    8. Brienne says

      July 31, 2013 at 10:32 am

      This recipe is AWESOME! I am Greek and an absolute lover of pastitsio. I have recently gone dairy- free and to find a recipe for one of my favorite Greek dishes without the dairy is amazing! Thanks so much for posting!! 🙂

      Reply
    9. Deee Dee says

      July 31, 2013 at 11:16 am

      Yum, this looks great and I love your picture. Visiting from SITS!

      Reply
    10. She'sWrite says

      July 31, 2013 at 12:09 pm

      Drool, drool, drool. This looks so yummy! Visiting from SITS!

      Reply
    11. Catherine says

      July 31, 2013 at 9:53 pm

      Dear Lisa, It is wonderful to take a recipe and make it your own as you did here.
      I am sure it was delicious.
      Blessings dear. Catherine

      Reply
    12. Paula says

      August 01, 2013 at 5:46 pm

      Love me some pasta! Pinned!

      Reply
    13. Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says

      August 01, 2013 at 10:49 pm

      I love pastitsio but rarely eat it because it's too fattening. But this sounds like a great alternative, and I've already pinned!

      Reply
    14. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

      August 03, 2013 at 1:56 pm

      NOM. This looks so wonderfully yummy. Pinning!

      Reply
    15. Ruth @ atnumber29 says

      August 05, 2013 at 6:27 am

      Thank you! My 1 year old daughter and I are also dairy free and we are always looking for something new to try! Pinned to my recipes folder, thank you.

      Reply
    16. Nicole says

      August 05, 2013 at 7:09 pm

      Yum, I love me some Pasta! Pinning 🙂

      Reply
    17. Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says

      August 12, 2013 at 10:09 pm

      This looks really great! I love that you used coconut milk. That is making my tummy rumble right now just thinking about this dish! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #25!

      ~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!

      Reply
    18. Joanne T Ferguson says

      January 03, 2014 at 8:49 pm

      G'day Lisa! never heard of stove top pastitio, true!
      A winner dish!
      Cheers! Joanne
      Thanks for sharing at the Foodie Friends Friday Meals in 30 Minutes Party!

      Reply
    19. Joanne/WineLady Cooks says

      January 04, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      Hi Lisa, I love recipe redux's. This sounds delicious, it's a Greek version of an Italian pasta bolognese style. Thanks for sharing with FFF 30 Minute Meals. I'm pinning and sharing on my FB page. Looking forward to seeing you again soon,

      Joanne

      Reply
    20. Michelle says

      January 05, 2014 at 2:54 pm

      This looks wonderful! Love that it is dairy free. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!

      Reply
    21. Lorena says

      September 28, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      I want to give this recipe the credit it deserves. While I do have to add a little salt and pepper for our tastes, I make it for every one of my friends who is dairy free and even there picky kids eat it!! They always want the recipe every time. This is also a biweekly meal for us. Idk if it’s close to patitsio but we love it as a different pasta meal. Try it!!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        September 30, 2020 at 9:49 am

        Thank you so much Lorena, I am so happy to hear that everyone likes it!!

        Reply

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