Lightened-Up Cheesy Pastitsio

  • 8 oz. uncooked Dreamfields penne (rotini would work too)
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 lb. 93% lean ground beef
  • 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 cups fat-free milk
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 6 oz fat-free cream cheese
  • 3/4 cup (3 oz) shredded park-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Preheat broiler.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat and drain.  Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and coat pan with cooking spray.  Add beef to pan and saute for about 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble.  Remove beef from pan and drain.  Wipe pan clean with paper towels and add 1/2 tablespoon of oil to pan.  Swirl to coat then add onion.  Saute for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add garlic and saute 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Add beef; sprinkle with salt.  Stir in milk, tomatoes and cream cheese, stirring until smooth; bring to a simmer.  Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.  Stir in pasta.

Spoon pasta mixture into a 13 x 9-inch broiler-safe baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over top.  Broil 4 minutes or until golden.  Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!