Frisch’s Pumpkin Pie Pastitsio

Offer up this Thanksgiving-inspired recipe throughout the cool-weather months. A Caitlin-ed up version of the classic Greek casserole, it is one clever take on comfort food. Enjoy pumpkin-kissed flavor with the whole family.

Pumpkin Pastitsio

• Yield: 1 Casserole
• Prep Time: 1 Hour
• Cook Time: 1 Hour

easy casserole ingredients

• 1 lb Ditalini Pasta
• 1 ½ sticks Butter
• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• 2 tsp Ground Sage
• 2 tsp Ground Coriander
• 1 Quart Whole Milk
• 1 Onion
• 3 Bay Leaves
• 8 Cloves
• ½ Cup Flour
• 2 Eggs
• 1½ Frisch’s Pumpkin Pie, filling only (OR 3 Cups Flavored Pumpkin Puree)
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• Salt + Pepper

pasta casserole recipe

1. Bring a pot of water to boil. Add the ditalini and cook according to the package directions. Drain the pasta when it is finished cooking.
2. While the pasta is cooking, place a 1/2 stick of butter in a small sauté pan and cook until the butter melts and starts to turn brown. Pour over the drained pasta and stir to coat. Transfer the brown-butter pasta to the bottom of a 13”x9” pan.
3. To another sauté pan, add the ground turkey, sage, and coriander. Turn to high heat. Crumble the meat and cook completely. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon over the pasta.
4. Prep your onion: remove the outermost layers and cut in half widthwise. Combine the onion, milk, bay leaves, and cloves in a sauce pot. Turn to medium-high heat.
5. While the milk is coming to a boil, melt the rest of your butter in a small sauté pan. Whisk the flour into the melted butter and let cook for 1-2 minutes.
6. When the milk comes to a boil, remove the onion, cloves, and bay leaves. Whisk the roux into the milk and cook until it starts to thicken. Turn off the heat.
7. Whisk the pumpkin, eggs and cinnamon into the milk. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour over the ground turkey.
8. Finally, place the pastitsio into a preheated 375-degree oven for 30 minutes. Once a crust has formed, remove from the oven. Let rest 10 minutes, scoop and serve.

pastitsio tips and tricks

• This is a great make-ahead meal. If you pull it from the fridge and put it directly into the oven, bake an additional 10-15 minutes.
• Make sure that every layer tastes delicious. Try each one as you cook it; season accordingly with salt and pepper.

more pumpkin recipes

Link to all the Third Thursday recipes inspired by Frisch’s Pumpkin Pie:

• Pumpkin Pie Crostini with Cannellini Beans and Sausage
• Pumpkin Pie-Stuffed Phyllo Appetizers
• Chipotle Pumpkin Soup
• Pumpkin Polenta-Stuffed Zucchini with Bleu Cheese Cream Sauce
• Pumpkin Pastitsio
• Pumpkin Pie Waffle with Slow-Cooked Beef
• Pumpkin Caramel Bon Bons
• Pumpkin Pie Blondies
• Pumpkin Pie Sundae with Maple-Bourbon Pecan Sauce