Vegetarian Leek Pastitsio from Drama: Meatless Monday Recipe!

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Provolone is often less expensive and works well in baking.

Cut off the dark green parts of the leeks, leaving the light green and white parts; slice the leeks into rounds.

Put the sliced leeks in a big bowl of water to loosen any dirt; lift them out and put them in a strainer, rinsing until the water runs clear.

In a pan, heat olive oil and a little salt; add the leeks and cook for about 7-8 minutes until soft and golden.

Boil greek pastition noodles in salted water for about 10 minutes until al dente; drain and place in a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with butter.

Mix the cooked noodles with grated parmesan, shredded mozzarella, feta cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried oregano.

Prepare roasted red bell peppers by slicing them; set aside.

Slice roma tomatoes into rounds and set aside.

Once the leeks are cooked, spread them over the noodles in the baking pan.

Layer the sliced tomatoes on top of the leeks; brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, add kalamata olives on top and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Let the dish set for about 20 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens