Angies Polenta Lasagna Recipes

POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Spoon 1/2 cup marinara sauce into an 8" square baking dish to cover bottom, and set aside.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and bell pepper; sauté 4 minutes or until tender.
• Stir in sausage; cook 2 minutes.
• Add mushrooms, zucchini, garlic and Italian seasononing; saute 2 minutes or until mushrooms are tender, stirring frequently.
• Add marinara sauce; reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.
• Arrange 9 polenta slices over marinara in baking dish, and top evenly with half of vegetable mixture.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese over vegetable mixture; arrange remaining polenta over cheese.
• Top the polenta with remaining vegetable mixture, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
• Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until bubbly.
• Let stand 5 minutes.
• Serve with a nice Chianti or other robust red wine.

AUNT ANGIE'S LASAGNA RECIPE

Steps:

• For the Meatball Mix: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Roll meatballs into desired size and bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. For the lasagna, instead of rolling into desired size, spread mix out evenly on a sheet pan and bake. Break up the meat for lasagna.
• For the Meat Sauce: In a stock pot (or large cooking vessel) brown the ground beef. Add the celery/carrot/onion mix and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the seasonings. Let simmer for 2 hours.
• For Aunt Angie's Lasagna: Using a 1/2 hotel pan or medium to large baking dish, coat the bottom with a thin layer of meat sauce. Lay out 4 pieces of lasagna so they go up the side of the pan with an additional 3 to 4 inches hanging over the edge. Do the same in the other direction of the pan using pieces of pasta. Add another layer of meat sauce, followed by 1/2 of the meatball mix. Then top the meat with 1 pound of the ricotta cheese, 1 pound of mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of Romano. Add a layer of pasta and repeat to have 2 layers. Fold over the remaining pasta to cover the top. Top with meat sauce and place in preheated oven and bake until proper serving temperature is reached or top is golden brown.

POLENTA VEGETABLE "LASAGNA"

Steps:

• For the red sauce: Place a rack in the center of the oven. Heat some EVOO in a medium Dutch oven or saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, carrots, celery and onions to the pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, add the bay and thyme and cook to soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Next, stir in the wine and tomato paste. Add the tomatoes and crush with a potato masher or wooden spoon. Bring the sauce to a bubble and reduce the heat to a simmer and thicken, 15 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler.
• For the bechamel and ricotta: Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium heat and whisk in the flour for 1 minute. Then whisk in the milk and bring to a bubble. Season the sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Thicken the sauce and keep warm over low heat.
• Drain the spinach well and separate into small pieces. Mix together the fresh ricotta and spinach in a small bowl.
• For the polenta: Bring the milk and chicken stock to a low boil. Add the polenta and season with the fennel, if using, salt and pepper. Whisk the polenta to mass, 3 minutes. Finish the polenta by stirring in 1/2 of the Parmigiano-Reggiano and the butter.
• Butter a casserole dish. Add half of the red sauce, and top with half of the polenta. Pour the bechamel sauce over the polenta and dot with the ricotta cheese and spinach. Top the bechamel layer with the remainder of the polenta. Top the polenta with more red sauce and the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano and provolone. Reserve remaining red sauce, if any, to serve on the side. Broil to set and brown, 5 minutes.

ANGIE'S POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the meat until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Mix in the tomato sauce and pasta sauce until thoroughly combined; bring to a simmer.
• Remove the polenta from its package, and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Lay the slices in a single layer in a 9x12-inch baking dish. Top each polenta slice with a tablespoon or two of the chive cottage cheese (use all the cottage cheese). Pour the sauce evenly over the cottage cheese, and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put 4 cups of water into a pot and set over medium-high heat. Slowly whisk in the polenta so no lumps form. Add a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture comes to a boil. Lower the heat and cook according to the package directions. When it is finished, stir in the butter and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan.
• Spread a cup of the Slow-Cooker Bolognese in the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Add half the polenta and spread it evenly over the sauce. Add a layer of 6 slices provolone and 3/4 cup mozzarella, then top with 2 cups of the sauce. Make another layer with the remaining polenta. Top with the remaining provolone, 3/4 cup mozzarella and remaining sauce. Sprinkle over the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is browned and bubbling, about 15 minutes more. Let rest for 20 minutes before serving.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots and onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute. Pour in the red wine and cook until it is mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes. Pour this mixture into a slow cooker.
• Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons oil into the skillet, add the beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up any lumps, until it is nicely browned, about 15 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the milk and cook until it is mostly absorbed by the meat, about 5 minutes. Add this to the slow cooker along with the tomatoes, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, nutmeg and Parmesan rind if using. Add some salt. Give it a good stir, cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
• Skim off any fat on top and check the consistency. If it is too thick, add a bit of water. If it is too thin, cook for another 30 minutes with the cover off.

POLENTA LASAGNE

Steps:

• Ricotta mixture
• For the spinach/sausage slices:
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the garlic and saute until lightly browned. Add half the spinach into the skillet. As soon as it wilts, add the remaining spinach. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat. Add the sausage slices to marry the flavors together. Remove from heat.;
• In a small bowl combine the ricotta, egg yolks, and nutmeg. Set aside.;
• In a large saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta and cook over low heat for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until the grains are soft. Stir in the Parmesan and olive oil.;
• Set aside 4 tablespoons of the marinara sauce for the top of the lasagna. In large casserole dish, layer: 6 cups of polenta, 1/2 the spinach / sausage slices, 1/2 the peppers, 1/2 the marinara sauce, 1/2 the Parmesan, and 1/2 the mozzarella slices.
• Repeat. Top with the remaining polenta (it may not cover the top completely). Distribute the ricotta mixture over the top in small dollops. Drizzle the reserved marinara sauce on top. At this point the finished lasagna can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to a day.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the pan on a cookie sheet (in case it bubbles over). Bake about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it is bubbling and hot throughout. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for several minutes before serving.

POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Place onion and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Process until finely chopped. Scrape into a 10-inch quiche dish, and add the oil. Stir to coat the onion and garlic. In a 650- to 700-watt oven cook, uncovered, at 100 percent power for 2 minutes.
• While onion and garlic are cooking, finely chop the eggplant and zucchini in the food processor. Stir into the onion mixture. Cook, uncovered, at 100 percent power for 4 minutes.
• Leaving the dish in oven, add the tomato puree, oregano, thyme and salt. Cook, uncovered, at 100 percent power for 3 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir in the pepper and basil, and set aside.
• Place half the polenta slices spoke-fashion in a 14-by-11-by-2-inch dish. Top each slice with a fifth of the vegetable mixture. Then top each with a piece of mozzarella and another slice of polenta. Cook uncovered at 100 percent power for 5 minutes.

POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Place porcini in a small bowl, and cover with 1/2 cup boiling water. Let soak 15 minutes. Lift mushrooms out of water, chop medium fine, and set aside. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth; set liquid aside.
• In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add carrot, celery, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add all meats, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; raise heat to high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until meat has browned, about 4 minutes. Add wine, and cook until liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, stock, chopped porcini, reserved porcini liquid, and nutmeg. Lower heat to medium low, and slowly simmer, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes; much of the liquid will evaporate, but the sauce should be very moist, with several tablespoons of liquid remaining. The sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
• Make the polenta: Lightly brush a 3-by-5-inch mini loaf pan with oil; set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 2/3 cups water to a boil, and add salt. While constantly whisking, add polenta in a slow, steady stream. When all the polenta has been added, immediately reduce heat to low, and let simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove polenta from heat, pour into prepared pan, and smooth the surface (an offset spatula works well). Let stand until cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 4 hours. Can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
• Make the bechamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add flour, and cook, stirring frequently, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring milk and salt to a boil. Slowly whisk milk into the flour mixture until completely incorporated and smooth. Add nutmeg, and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Rub butter over the surface of the bechamel; this will prevent a skin from forming. The bechamel can be prepared up to this point 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator. When ready to use, warm sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, 1 or 2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in about 2 tablespoons of milk to thin it out.
• Assemble the lasagna: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat; add spinach and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until wilted and tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and drain in a colander. Squeeze out all water, finely chop, and set aside.
• Unmold polenta onto a clean surface. Using a serrated knife, trim the block of polenta to a length of 4 inches. Turn polenta on its side; slice 6 pieces as thin as possible (they should be less than 1/8 inch thick).
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spread 5 tablespoons of the meat sauce into each of two 12-ounce ovenproof casseroles. Cover with 1 slice of polenta, and spread 3 tablespoons of meat sauce evenly over. Spread 2 tablespoons of bechamel over the meat sauce, and evenly distribute 2 tablespoons of the chopped spinach over the bechamel. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, and cover with 1 slice of polenta. Repeat the layering process (3 tablespoons meat sauce, 2 tablespoons bechamel, 2 tablespoons spinach, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and 1 piece polenta). Spread 1 heaping tablespoon of bechamel sauce over the final layer of polenta, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan, and dot with 1/4 teaspoon butter. These can be prepared up to this point a day in advance; cover and refrigerate. (If lasagnas are prepared ahead and refrigerated, let them stand at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.)
• Bake until tops of lasagnas are golden brown and juices are bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes. If tops are not yet brown, increase heat to broil and place lasagnas under broiler until tops are speckled brown. Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix marinara sauce, garlic powder and herbes de Provence. Arrange half of the polenta slices in a greased 8-in. skillet. Top with half of the sauce; sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese. Repeat layers., Cook, uncovered, over medium heat 12-14 minutes or until bubbly. Cover; cook 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

ANGIE'S POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the meat until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Mix in the tomato sauce and pasta sauce until thoroughly combined; bring to a simmer.
• Remove the polenta from its package, and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Lay the slices in a single layer in a 9x12-inch baking dish. Top each polenta slice with a tablespoon or two of the chive cottage cheese (use all the cottage cheese). Pour the sauce evenly over the cottage cheese, and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

ANGIE'S POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the meat until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Mix in the tomato sauce and pasta sauce until thoroughly combined; bring to a simmer.
• Remove the polenta from its package, and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Lay the slices in a single layer in a 9x12-inch baking dish. Top each polenta slice with a tablespoon or two of the chive cottage cheese (use all the cottage cheese). Pour the sauce evenly over the cottage cheese, and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

ANGIE'S POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the meat until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Mix in the tomato sauce and pasta sauce until thoroughly combined; bring to a simmer.
• Remove the polenta from its package, and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Lay the slices in a single layer in a 9x12-inch baking dish. Top each polenta slice with a tablespoon or two of the chive cottage cheese (use all the cottage cheese). Pour the sauce evenly over the cottage cheese, and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

ANGIE'S POLENTA LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the meat until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Mix in the tomato sauce and pasta sauce until thoroughly combined; bring to a simmer.
• Remove the polenta from its package, and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Lay the slices in a single layer in a 9x12-inch baking dish. Top each polenta slice with a tablespoon or two of the chive cottage cheese (use all the cottage cheese). Pour the sauce evenly over the cottage cheese, and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes.