Hidden Veggie Lasagna

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Hidden veggie lasagna with eggplant and carrots!

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pasta

Servings:

Calories: 277kcal

Ingredients

lasagna noodles (see notes)
25 oz pasta sauce
½ onion
2 carrots
½ eggplant (approximately 2 cups)
3 cloves garlic
1 TBS maple syrup
salt and pepper to taste
2 cup mozzarella cheese

For the ricotta filling

15 oz ricotta cheese
1 ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 egg
½ cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ½ diced onion, 2 chopped carrots, cubed eggplant and 3 cloves of garlic. Season generously with salt. Cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
Once soft, blend ingredients in a blender with ½ a cup of water. Add back to the skillet and add a 24oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce. We like using a jar of tomato basil. Add 1 TBS maple syrup (optional). Simmer on low.
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 ½ tsp. Italian seasoning, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1 egg, and ½ cup parmesan cheese. Set aside.
Spread a thin layer of sauce on a 9x13 baking dish. Add a layer of noodles, then spread with ricotta mixture, sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until you reach the top of the dish, ending with a layer of sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Cover with foil and bake a 375℉ for 25 minutes. Remove foil and baking an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Notes

Oven Ready vs. Regular Lasagna Noodles

Oven ready noodles save time since they require no boiling. You'll want to read the packaging for the proper cooking directions as some oven ready noodles require additional water per layer to bake properly. Be sure to add plenty of sauce and adjust your cooking time since these noodles require a bit longer in the oven. Bake covered in foil at 375℉ for 35-45 minutes and uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Regular lasagna noodled require boiling first but can hold up a bit better in layered dishes. Oven ready noodles may make things more convenient and quick, but boiling regular lasagna noodles gives a better texture and control over tastes without having to add any extra liquid.

*Nutritional information provided is an estimate and will very based off of brands of ingredients used and cooking methods.

Nutrition