



I love lasagna. It’s perfect for entertaining, a cool fall day, the picky eater, the casserole lover and the comfort food connoisseur. A while back I made the most mind-blowing lasagna ever (I put ground turkey in that one) and could never seem to repeat it. Every time I made it, I received positive reviews, but I knew that magic was missing. I made it again and again, but nothing was quite right…until today! I finally figured out the secret ingredients that made this lasagna perfect: Red Pepper Flakes, fresh Oregano, and Cumin. These ingredients make the perfect zing, like a gorgeous pop of color for the tongue. You have to try it! Those ingredients may take centerstage for this dish, however, the background players make it truly delicious and nutritious. Pureed vegetables, ladies and gentlemen! I put a ton in it! The texture may be that of a basic creamy cheese lasagna, but the flavor is so complex that no one will guess what you have in it. This time I made it dairy-free, but this is the easiest recipe to change to however you like it. Proof that it was delicious for anyone? My husband thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I made it completely meat-free, dairy-free…well, vegan! He also tried my ground turkey version with mozzarella and liked that equally. Goes to show, the secret is in the sauce. If you aren’t too sure about making lasagna, there are some tricks that help make the best 9 vegetable lasagna ever: 1. Prevent your lasagna from sticking to the bottom by putting a layer of sauce in the pan first 2. Alternate the direction of your lasagna noodles for each layer. So, 1st layer is horizontal, 2nd layer is vertical. Alternating directions will make the lasagna easy to cut and serve without falling apart. 3. For even distribution, mix your ricotta cheese into your sauce, don’t layer it separately. Another great thing about this dish is you can make it in a disposable pan, bring it to a potluck, eat it all week, or freeze half in single serve containers. I don’t usually use aluminum for anything, so I’m not concerned about using it once in awhile. However, if you have an allergy or concern, this enameled cast iron pan looks awesome! If you decide to make this for dinner guests, be prepared for them to want to take some home. It’s just that good! I always make sure I have some tupperware I’m not attached to for lasagna nights. That way I can let people take an extra slice home. 😉

If you have any leftover sauce, check out my leftover pasta sauce post!







