Hidden Veggie Lasagna Casserole (Kid-Friendly, Gluten Free-Option)
Ingredients
- 10 ozpenne pasta
or any short pasta - can be gluten free
- 2 ccauliflower florets
- ⅓ cmilk of your choice
- ½ cricotta cheese
or cottage cheese
- 2 cshredded mozzarella
- ¼ cshredded parmesan
- 1egg
- 4 ozmushrooms
- 2carrots
- 1onion
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 1 lbground beef
- 1 tspsea salt
- ¼ tspground black pepper
- 25 ozmarinara sauce
- 1 cshredded mozzarella
- ¼ cshredded parmesan
Directions
- 1
Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions and set aside.
Cauliflower ricotta mixture
- 1
Place a steamer basket in a large saucepan, and add 1½ cups water. Add cauliflower florets to the basket. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer then cook for 8-10 minutes until fork tender.
- 2
Combine steamed cauliflower in a blender with milk and ricotta cheese, and blend until smooth.
- 3
Stir in mozzarella, parmesan, and an egg. Set aside.
Meat & veggie pasta sauce
- 1
Chop up mushrooms, carrots, and onion finely, or shred them using a food processor.
- 2
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat.
- 3
Add the chopped vegetables, ground beef, salt, and pepper, and cook stirring until the meat is browned - about 4-5 minutes.
- 4
Drain the grease, then return to heat. Pour in marinara sauce then stir. Heat until it starts simmering, then turn off heat.
- 5
Stir in pasta. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Lasagna casserole
- 1
Add half of the pasta sauce mixture to a 9x13 baking dish.
- 2
Spoon the cauliflower ricotta mixture on top, using the back of a spoon to spread into an even layer.
- 3
Add the rest of the pasta mixture on top.
- 4
Cover with foil, and bake for 40 minutes.
- 5
Uncover, and top with mozzarella and parmesan. Bake uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.
- 6
Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Hidden Veggie Lasagna Casserole (Kid-Friendly, Gluten Free-Option)
Similar Recipes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lasagna-casserole-ddmfs-4x3-0344-882db4cb79b14539bacbc31238a439d7.jpg)
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 4 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Tired of mealtime battles and longing for a comforting, family-favorite dinner that secretly packs in extra nutrition? This Hidden Veggie Lasagna Casserole is your answer, delivering rich flavors that everyone will love, even the pickiest eaters. It’s the ultimate lazy lasagna that doesn’t compromise on taste or health.
The secret to this recipe's success lies in its clever incorporation of finely diced vegetables like cauliflower, mushrooms, carrots, and onion, blending seamlessly into a rich marinara and beef sauce. By using short pasta instead of traditional lasagna sheets, we simplify the assembly process significantly, making it a truly weeknight-friendly casserole without sacrificing that beloved lasagna experience. This approach ensures you get all the comfort and flavor with minimal fuss.
When you dive into this casserole, you'll discover a deeply savory, cheesy dish with tender penne bathed in a robust marinara sauce, generously studded with perfectly melted mozzarella and parmesan. The hidden vegetables add a subtle depth and earthiness to the sauce without overwhelming the classic flavors, ensuring even the most discerning palates are satisfied. It's a hearty, satisfying main course that offers a comforting warmth, and the simple preparation makes it feel like a treat any night of the week. This dish is also wonderfully adaptable for those seeking a gluten-free meal.
For an even lighter version, swap the ground beef for ground turkey, or for a vegetarian meal, consider using a plant-based ground substitute. The recipe is flexible, allowing you to use either ricotta or cottage cheese for the creamy layer, and any milk of your choice. Feel free to use your favorite short pasta beyond penne; just ensure it's a type that holds up well to baking. If you want to boost the green factor, a handful of finely chopped spinach could be stirred into the ricotta mixture.
This comforting casserole is perfect for a cozy family dinner on a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend meal. Serve it hot, perhaps with a simple green salad to complete a satisfying spread that the whole family will enjoy.