Meat Lovers Vegetarian Lasagna Recipes

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA (THAT MEAT EATERS WILL LOVE!)

Steps:

• For this recipe, you are essentially just creating the different elements for the lasagna and then layering them. There is a tomato sauce layer, a pasta layer, a béchamel sauce layer, and a cheese layer.
• Saute the garlic and onion in a large, wide bottomed saucepan.
• Meanwhile chop up your zucchini, mushrooms, and tofu, if using. Size is what you prefer. You can put them through a food processor if you are running short on time or better yet, pass this job to your lowly sous-chef.
• When the onions are nearly softened, add the chopped veggies (and tofu) to the saucepan.
• Once the vegetables are somewhat softened, add the tomato puree, bay leaf, oregano, dried basil, chili powder, salt and pepper. Taste as you go for your preference in saltiness and spiciness. Remember, ambitious guests can always add more spice at the table.
• Bring the tomato sauce to a simmer and then keep it aside on a very low heat.
• Now create the béchamel sauce. Melt the butter into a saucepan and then slowly add the flour, stirring constantly as you go.
• Once the butter and flour are blended, slowly add the milk, again stirring as you do.
• Now add the softened goat cheese to the mixture and stir until blended. Spice the sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Lastly, let simmer until thickened. Add milk if it thickens too quickly (you want a gravy consistency).
• Now you are ready for assembly. Pour a spoonful of sauce onto the bottom of a large (9x13 inch) baking dish (glass or aluminum) to just cover the surface. Then add a layer of lasagna noodles, a layer of sauce, a layer of mozzarella, and then another layer of lasagna. For the next layer, add a thick layer of the goat cheese bechemal sauce. Continue layering, adding in fresh basil leaves as you like in the middle layers. Finish off with a layer of lasagna topped with mozzarella.
• Bake about 25 minutes in ? degree oven and serve to great delight.
• NOTE: For a more robust tomato sauce, you can use Alan Leonetti's marinara sauce recipe (Recipe #84217), especially if you've made it in advance and frozen it.
• NOTE: Variation With Ground Beef: To make a more traditional meat lasagna I follow the same recipe as above but I omit the tofu (of course!) and the goat cheese. I still use the mushroom and courgette/zucchini but I cut back on the amount. I brown the beef in a separate pan and then combine it in the layer of tomato and vegetable sauce. The addition of the courgette/zucchini and mushroom in with the meat it usually a welcome twist!

"MEAT" LOVER'S LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain noodles as directed on package.
• Unwrap sausages; place on large microwavable plate. Microwave uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, turning sausages once, until slightly thawed. Cut sausages into 1/4-inch slices.
• In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese and the egg. In another medium bowl, mix pasta sauce, Italian seasoning and water.
• In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread about 1/2 cup pasta sauce mixture. Top with 3 noodles, half of the ricotta mixture and half of the sausage pieces. Top with about 1 1/4 cups remaining pasta sauce mixture and half of the soy cheese. Repeat with remaining noodles, ricotta mixture, sausage, pasta sauce mixture and soy cheese. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake uncovered 35 to 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Cover loosely with foil; let stand 10 minutes before serving.

MEAT LOVER'S VEGETARIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Combine diced tomatoes and tomato sauce in medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, simmering, until reduced to half of its original volume.
• Saute garlic in olive oil until golden.
• Combine ricotta with herbs and spices in a bowl. When garlic is warm (but not hot), combine with ricotta.
• Combine broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, and artichokes in a bowl.
• In a lasagna or 9 x 13 x 2 pan, place 1/3 of the sauce. Next, place 4 of the noodles, overlapping slightly. Then place 1/3 of the ricotta, spreading thinly. Cover with 1/3 of the vegetables, and then 1/3 of the mozzarella.
• Repeat with two more layers, finally topping with the parmesan.
• Place pan on cookie sheet (this is to catch eventual spills and drips - I told you it was messy) and cover with foil. Refrigerate for at least an hour to give the flavors a chance to blend.
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cook for 20 minutes covered with foil, and then 20 - 25 minutes uncovered.