Recipie: Vegetarian Lasagna

[asterroc]

There is a myth that lasagna is really hard and time consuming to make. One thing that helps is no-boil lasagna noodles, and pre-grated cheese. I try my hardest to avoid grating cheese at any and all times so as to avoid grating my knuckles.


Ingredients:

• 2 packages Barilla No-Boil Lasagna


• 2 jars (1lb 10oz ea.) Ragu tomato sauce (I recommend the Robusto line)


• 1-2 packages 16 oz cottage cheese (or ricotta)


• 1-2 packages (6 oz ea.) appropriate grated cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, "Italian")


• assorted veggies (ex: tomato, onion, celery, mushrooms, peppers, olives)


• assorted spices (ex: parsley, basil, oregano, "Italian," celery seeds, onion powder, garlic powder, diced garlic)


• 6"x6" to 6"x9" baking pan


• tin/aluminum foil

Cooking directions, times, and temperatures vary depending upon the source you look at, but the minor variations are not crucial, so don't worry if they contradict each other.

1. Preheat oven to 375º.


2. Spread a thin layer of sauce over the bottom of the pan.


3. Place around 4-6 lasagna noodles as a bottom layer. You can break them into pieces or layer on top of each other as desired.


4. Chop veggies into pieces the size of your pinky nail. Mix into one of the sauce jars for convenience. Mix spices into the cottage cheese for convenience.


5. Sing a little song while mixing to entertain yourself.


6. On top of the bottom layer of noodles, plop spoonfuls of cottage cheese. Use around 1/4 to 1/3 of the container. Spoonfuls should be evenly spread out, you can even spread them around if you want, but not required.


7. Sprinkle evenly a handful or four of grated cheese.


8. Shake your butt to help with the sprinkling.


9. Dollop out sauce - make sure to cover all the noodles since this is the only water that's being used to cook them.


10. Layer on more lasagna noodles.


11. Repeat. I typically have 3-4 layers of noodles total.


12. After the last layer of noodles you should put on first the remaining sauce, then liberally cover with grated cheese (not cottage cheese, that should already be used up).


13. Cover entire top with tin foil to prevent burning.


14. Place any flying pets firmly in their cages.


15. Cook for some 45 minutes until hot through and noodles entirely cooked.


16. Remove tin foil. Cook another 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and pretty.


17. Serve with a spatula and a serving spoon. Feeds a few, or gives me leftovers for a week.

Comments

Krystine's lasagna post

[poludamas.livejournal.com]

For anyone who wants to know even more about this wonderful food:
http://poom234.blog.com/286468/
I thoroughly approve of the use of cottage cheese in place of ricotta. Our food processor has a grater that works very well for cheese--we (mostly myself) hate grating too.