Description
Greek cuisine meets plant-based innovation in this hearty “Vegan Pastitsio” that reimagines classic comfort. Layers of tender pasta, rich lentil ragù, and creamy cashew béchamel create a Mediterranean masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Components:
- 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup dry lentils (green or brown)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Vegetable and Aromatic Layer:
- 1 ½ cups chopped sweet or yellow onion
- 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes (about 4 medium tomatoes)
- ½ cup chopped parsley
Liquid and Seasoning Elements:
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons tomato sauce
- ½ cup white cooking wine (optional)
- Drizzle of oil or vegetable broth (for sauteing)
- ½ to 1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Pasta Layer Components:
- 1 pound (454 grams) tube-shaped pasta (gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
- ½ cup dairy-free milk (or ¼ cup vegan butter)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups vegan Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups vegan Bechamel (double the recipe; may have leftovers)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F (175°C), ensuring an ideal baking environment.
- Gently boil the pasta, reducing cooking time by 2-3 minutes to maintain a perfectly al dente texture. Carefully drain the pasta, preserving a half cup of the starchy cooking liquid.
- Create a smooth thickening agent by whisking warm pasta water with tapioca starch until fully integrated and free of lumps.
- In the same pot used for pasta, gently heat plant-based milk and reserved pasta water over low flame. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt for enhanced flavor.
- Gradually incorporate the starch mixture into the warm liquid, using a careful whisking technique to prevent any undesirable clumping and achieve a light, silky consistency.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated with the luxurious plant-based mixture.
- Generously fold in vegan Parmesan, stirring thoroughly to distribute the cheesy notes throughout the dish.
- Taste the pasta blend and adjust seasoning, adding a touch more salt if needed to elevate the overall flavor profile.
- Allow the pasta to rest briefly, letting the sauce fully embrace the noodles before transferring to a serving dish.
Notes
- Ensure pasta remains al dente by cooking 2-3 minutes less than package instructions to maintain perfect texture and prevent mushiness.
- Create a smooth, creamy sauce by whisking starch slurry slowly into warm dairy-free milk, avoiding lumps and achieving silky consistency.
- Experiment with different plant-based cheeses like nutritional yeast or cashew Parmesan to customize the flavor profile and add extra richness.
- Allow
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg