Hidden Veggie Lasagna Casserole (Kid-Friendly, Gluten Free-Option)

Hidden Veggie Lasagna Casserole (Kid-Friendly, Gluten Free-Option)

Main Course
75 min
8 servings
476 kcal / serving

Delicious and comforting lazy lasagna casserole packed with hidden veggies and nutrients! It's a kid-friendly and toddler-friendly recipe that the whole family will love. You can easily make it gluten free, and it's great for freezer meal prep!

Ingredients

  • 10 ozpenne pasta (or any short pasta - can be gluten free)
  • 2 cupscauliflower florets
  • ⅓ cupmilk of your choice
  • ½ cupricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • 2 cupsshredded mozzarella
  • ¼ cupshredded parmesan
  • 1egg
  • 4 ozmushrooms
  • 2carrots
  • 1onion
  • 1 tbspolive oil
  • 1 lbground beef
  • 1 tspsea salt
  • ¼ tspground black pepper
  • 25 ozmarinara sauce
  • 1 cupshredded mozzarella
  • ¼ cupshredded parmesan

Directions

  1. 1

    Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions and set aside.

Cauliflower ricotta mixture

  1. 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. 2

    Combine steamed cauliflower in a blender with milk and ricotta cheese, and blend until smooth.

  3. 3

    Stir in mozzarella, parmesan, and an egg. Set aside.

Meat & veggie pasta sauce

  1. 1

    Chop up mushrooms, carrots, and onion finely, or shred them using a food processor.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat.

  3. 3

    Add the chopped vegetables, ground beef, salt, and pepper, and cook stirring until the meat is browned - about 4-5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Drain the grease, then return to heat. Pour in marinara sauce then stir. Heat until it starts simmering, then turn off heat.

  5. 5

    Stir in pasta. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Lasagna casserole

  1. 1

    Add half of the pasta sauce mixture to a 9x13 baking dish.

  2. 2

    Spoon the cauliflower ricotta mixture on top, using the back of a spoon to spread into an even layer.

  3. 3

    Add the rest of the pasta mixture on top.

  4. 4

    Cover with foil, and bake for 40 minutes.

  5. 5

    Uncover, and top with mozzarella and parmesan. Bake uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.

  6. 6

    Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.