Vegetable Pastitsio in a round white bowl with a stainless steel fork in front and a towel behind on a wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Vegetable Pastitsio in a 9×13 Pan

Try this vegetable pastitsio, a meatless version of Pastitsio, a classic Greek casserole with layers of noodles, vegetables, and endless flavor.

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A few weeks ago I was given a bunch of old cookbooks. One of the other moms in my Mothers of Preschoolers group was cleaning out her kitchen. The one that really stuck out to me is 9×13 The Pan That Can. It’s a cookbook full of over 300 recipes that can be cooked in a 9×13 pan. The first recipe I tried from the book is Vegetable Pastitsio.

The book describes it as a meatless version of a classic Greek casserole. There are a lot of vegetables in the dish, and we have been trying to eat more veggies lately. It also uses some mint leaves in it, which we have plenty of from the garden, so we gave it a shot.

It was different than other meals we’ve made, but we liked it! The only thing I didn’t like was that it made multiple dirty dishes. I usually try to use only one or two in my recipes, but it was still worth it.

You can use any small noodles for this dish. I’ve made it both with macaroni elbow noodles and ziti noodles. I asked Justin which he prefers and got the ever-so-helpful answer of “I don’t know.” I had leftover elbow noodles from macaroni casserole the first time. The last time I made this we had leftover noodles from baked ziti. I like to use up what we have in the pantry when I can, so we use the noodles on hand.

Step by Step

Start by getting your 9×13 baking dish out and ready. Lightly grease the pan and preheat the oven to 350F. Start cooking the potatoes because those take the longest. I like to cut mine into bite-sized pieces and boil until they are tender.

Cook the noodles according to the package and drain, rinsing them with cold water. In a large bowl, combine the cooked noodles, eggs, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.

Ziti noodles in a stainless steel mixing bowl next to an empty glass baking dish on a wooden surface

Layer this mixture in the bottom of the 9×13 pan.

Ziti noodles mixed with egg in a glass baking dish on a wooden surface

Arrange the fresh spinach on top of the noodles, spreading it out as much as possible.

Glass baking dish filled with spinach leaves on a wooden surface

In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp of butter then add the onion and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes.

Large skillet with diced onion and minced garlic on a wooden surface

Then add the tomato sauce, corn, potatoes, mint, oregano, 1/4 tsp of salt, cinnamon, and pepper, stirring until it is all heated through.

Large skillet with cooked potatoes, tomato sauce, diced onions, and corn kernels on a wooden surface

Spread the potato mixture on top of the spinach and spread it out as much as possible. It’s ok if it doesn’t completely cover the spinach, just do the best you can.

Cooked potatoes, tomato sauce, diced onions, and corn kernels on top of a bed of spinach leaves in a glass baking dish on a wooden surface

In a medium saucepan (I used the one from the noodles so I didn’t dirty another pot), melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and nutmeg, then add the milk. Cook until it’s thickened and bubbly, stirring frequently.

Medium saucepan with milk cream and a nylon whisk on a wooden surface

Pour this flour mixture over the potato mixture. Bake the entire meal, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or until heated through.

Cooked potatoes, tomato sauce, diced onions, and corn kernels on top of a bed of spinach leaves covered with a milk mixture in a glass baking dish on a wooden surface

Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Vegetable Pastitsio in a round white bowl with a stainless steel fork in front and a towel behind on a wooden surface (vertical)

Recipe

Originally Published On: May 14, 2018

Last Updated On: November 23, 2019

Vegetable Pastitsio in a round white bowl with a stainless steel fork in front and a towel behind on a wooden surface

Vegetable Pastitsio

Try this meatless version of Pastitsio, a classic Greek casserole with layers of noodles, vegetables, and endless flavor.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course:
Main Dish
Cuisine:
American
Keyword:
casserole
|
spinach
|
vegetable
|
vegetarian
Servings: 8 cups
5 from 7 votes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 cups spinach
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 cup corn (frozen)
  • 1 cup potatoes (cooked, cubed)
  • 3/4 tsp mint (crushed)
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 cups milk

Instructions

  • Cut potatoes into bite-sized pieces and boil until tender
  • Grease a 9×13 baking dish and preheat the oven to 350F
  • Cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions, then rinse with cold water and drain
  • In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, eggs, and 1/4 tsp salt then layer in the bottom of the baking dish
  • Spread the spinach over the macaroni
  • In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp of butter
  • Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes
  • Add the tomato sauce, corn, potatoes, mint, oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, cinnamon, and pepper, stirring until heated through
  • Spread the potato mixture over the spinach
  • In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat
  • Stir in the flour and nutmeg followed by the milk
  • Cook until thickened and bubbly, stirring frequently
  • Pour the flour mixture over the potato mixture
  • Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or until heated through
  • Let it stand for 5 minutes to cool before serving
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Nutrition Facts
Vegetable Pastitsio
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 258 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 58mg19%
Sodium 387mg16%
Potassium 480mg14%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 1520IU30%
Vitamin C 10.1mg12%
Calcium 107mg11%
Iron 2.3mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

32 thoughts on “Vegetable Pastitsio in a 9×13 Pan”

  1. 5 stars
    awesome variation! I live in greece and everyone is obsessed with the traditional meaty pasticio, it’s so refreshing to see a lovely veggie version of a trusted classic!

  2. Those picture make me feel so hungry. I like Vegetable Pastitsio and I find it easy to make. Thanks for sharing!

  3. 5 stars
    I do think it looks amazing and I would love to try it out. Although I am wondering if some other green besides spinach would work. My daughter really doesn’t like it very much and I would want to substitute flavors a bit.

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