Traditional Mediterranean Lasagna Recipes

EGGPLANT LASAGNA RECIPE

Steps:

• Season the eggplant slices on both sides with kosher salt and set aside for 20 to 30 minutes (if you don't have the time, this step can be optional).
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and position a rack in the middle.
• Wipe the eggplant slices very well with a paper towel (you want to dry it well and remove any excess salt), then arrange on lightly oiled baking sheet (or two if needed). Brush the top of the eggplant with extra virgin olive oil. Roast in the heated oven until the eggplant softens and becomes pliable (about 15 to 20 minutes or so).
• While the eggplant is roasting, prepare the ricotta filling. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, ¼ Parmesan, garlic, oregano, spinach and chopped herbs. Add a small pinch of kosher salt and black pepper to your liking. Mix well to combine.
• Remove the eggplant from the oven. Lower the heat to 375 degrees F.
• Prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Pour a bit of the pasta sauce (about ½ cup or so) and spread it out into one layer. Lay a few eggplant slices (anywhere from 4 to 6 and it's fine if they overlap a bit). Spread 1/2 of the ricotta filling, then spread a thin layer of the sauce. Repeat the process in the same pattern. Spread the final layer of sauce and follow with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of Parmesan.
• Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake in the heated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, then carefully uncover and return to the oven. Bake for another 10 to 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the edges of the lasagna turn a nice golden brown.
• Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

MEDITERRANEAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package directions, just until al dente. Toss in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a small bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1 teaspoon oregano, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and 1 teaspoon of oregano. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
• Add feta and heavy cream to the pan.
• Stir to combine and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the feta melts into a creamy sauce.
• Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 a cup of Parmesan until melted. Set aside.
• Spread 1/2 a cup of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Layer 4 noodles on top of the sauce, overlapping them slightly. Spread half the ricotta mixture in an even layer over the noodles.
• Then spread the spinach and artichoke hearts in an even layer.
• Add 1/2 a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and drizzle 1/2 a cup of sauce over the mozzarella.
• Add 4 more noodles, overlapping them slightly.
• Spread all of the feta mixture in an even layer on top of the noodles. Add sun-dried tomatoes and add another 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella.
• Add 4 noodles, overlapping slightly. Then spread the remaining ricotta on top and arrange zucchini slices in a single layer.
• Add another 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella. Then drizzle another 1/2 cup of sauce.
• Add the remaining 4 noodles, overlapping slightly.
• Add remaining sauce, spreading it in an even layer. Top with remaining mozzarella and add 1/2 a cup of shredded Parmesan.
• Cover tightly with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes.
• Let baked lasagna rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

MEDITERRANEAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Use a mandolin to thinly slice, about an 1/8th inch thick, the zucchini and eggplant into long strips. Line two half sheet trays with paper towel and lay the strips of vegetables over the lined sheet trays. Evenly sprinkle the salt over the vegetables and then top them with another sheet of paper towel. Continue to layer the vegetables and paper towels in single layers until all the vegetables are covered. Let the vegetables stand while you prep the rest of the ingredients, at least 30 minutes; the vegetables will let off their excess moisture.
• Meanwhile bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Lay the lasagna noodles on a sheet tray in an even layer. Carefully pour the hot, salted water over the noodles. Let the noodles soak for 20 minutes to soften.
• Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook about 6-8 minutes or until softened and the excess liquid has evaporated from the pan. Season with salt. Stir in the garlic and cook an additional minute or until fragrant. Next add the spinach to the pan and cook until wilted. Season the mixture again with salt to taste once the spinach has completely wilted and excess liquid has cooked off. Turn the heat off and let the mixture cool.
• To a large bowl combine the ricotta, lemon zest, spinach and mushroom mixture, parsley, basil, dried oregano and red pepper flakes. Season the ricotta mixture with salt to taste.
• In a 9x13 inch baking dish evenly spread 3/4 cup of tomato sauce over the bottom. Top the sauce with 4 lasagna noodles. Evenly spread one third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Next, shingle half of the eggplant slices over the ricotta and press down on the eggplant firmly to ensure the layers are even. Spread another 3/4 cup of sauce over the eggplant followed by half of the zucchini. Again, press down on the zucchini to keep the layers even. Spread another third of the ricotta over the zucchini, followed by four more noodles and another 3/4 cup tomato sauce. Shingle the remaining eggplant over the sauce and press firmly down on the eggplant. Spread the remaining ricotta over the top, the last four noodles and another 3/4 cup tomato sauce. Shingle the zucchini over the top of the lasagna and sprinkle the top with shaved parmesan.
• Place the lasagna in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the lasagna is bubbling on the sides and the cheese is beginning to brown on top. Remove from the oven and let stand 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
• Nutrition Info Per Serving.
• Calories: 361.
• Total Fat: 15 grams.
• Saturated Fat: 7 grams.
• Total Carbohydrate: 40 grams.
• Sugars: 12 grams.
• Protein: 6 grams.
• Sodium: 886 milligrams.
• Cholesterol: 34 milligrams.
• Fiber: 6 gram.

OVERNIGHT MEDITERRANEAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• In medium bowl, combine pasta sauce, olives and water; blend well. In another medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, lemon juice and oregano; mix well.
• In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish or lasagna pan, spread 1 cup of pasta sauce mixture. Top with 4 uncooked noodles, half of the ricotta cheese mixture, half of the mozzarella cheese, half of the feta cheese and all of the spinach.
• Repeat layering with 1/2 cup sauce mixture, remaining 4 noodles, 1 cup of the remaining mozzarella cheese, remaining ricotta mixture, remaining feta cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 12 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Uncover baking dish; bake 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until casserole is bubbly, noodles are tender, and cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

CLASSIC LASAGNA

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add sausage, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it's starting to brown but not yet crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Add onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is totally softened and translucent (without letting it brown), 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring until the tomato paste has turned a deeper brick red color, tinting the oil and onions a fiery orange color, about 2 minutes.
• Using your hands, crush the whole tomatoes into smaller, bite-size pieces and add them and the crushed tomatoes, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Fill one of the tomato cans halfway with water and add it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato sauce has thickened and flavors have come together, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Make the lasagna: Heat oven to 375 degrees and set a large pot of salted water to boil.
• Set aside 1 cup mozzarella. In a medium bowl, combine remaining mozzarella, ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan and cream; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Cook lasagna noodles in the large pot of salted boiling water until just softened (before they are even aldente), about 4 minutes. Drain and separate any noodles that are trying to stick together, slicking them with a bit of olive oil to prevent them from sticking further.
• Spoon a bit of sauce on the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish and top with a layer of noodles, avoiding any heavy overlap.
• Top with about 1 ¼ cups of sauce, and dollop ¼ of the cheese mixture over. Top with another layer of noodles and repeat three more times, ending with the last of the noodles (depending on size of the noodle/shape of the baking dish, you may have a few extra noodles) and the last of the sauce. Top with reserved 1 cup mozzarella and more Parmesan, if you like.
• Cover loosely with aluminum foil and place baking dish on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet (to prevent any overflow from burning on the bottom of your oven).
• Bake until pasta is completely tender and cooked through and sauce is bubbling up around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove foil and increase temperature to 450 degrees. Continue to bake until lasagna is golden brown on top with frilly, crispy edges and corners, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating.

VEGETARIAN LASAGNE

Steps:

• To make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the onions, garlic and carrot. Cook for 5-7 mins over a medium heat until softened. Turn up the heat a little and stir in the tomato purée. Cook for 1 min, pour in the white wine, then cook for 5 mins until this has reduced by two-thirds. Pour over the chopped tomatoes and add the basil leaves. Bring to the boil then simmer for 20 mins. Leave to cool then whizz in a food processor. Will keep, cooled, in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for three months.
• To make the white sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the plain flour, then cook for 2 mins. Slowly whisk in the milk, then bring to the boil, stirring. Turn down the heat, then cook until the sauce starts to thicken and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Will keep, cooled, in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for three months.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Lightly oil two large baking trays and add the peppers and aubergines. Toss with the olive oil, season well, then roast for 25 mins until lightly browned.
• Reduce the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly oil a 30 x 20cm ovenproof dish. Arrange a layer of the vegetables on the bottom, then pour over a third of the tomato sauce. Top with a layer of lasagne sheets, then drizzle over a quarter of the white sauce. Repeat until you have three layers of pasta.
• Spoon the remaining white sauce over the pasta, making sure the whole surface is covered, then scatter over the mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. Bake for 45 mins until bubbling and golden.

CLASSIC LASAGNE

Steps:

• To make the meat sauce, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan and cook 750g lean beef mince in two batches for about 10 mins until browned all over.
• Finely chop 4 slices of prosciutto from a 90g pack, then stir through the meat mixture.
• Pour over 800g passata or half our basic tomato sauce recipe and 200ml hot beef stock. Add a little grated nutmeg, then season.
• Bring up to the boil, then simmer for 30 mins until the sauce looks rich.
• Heat oven to 180C/fan/160C/gas 4 and lightly oil an ovenproof dish (about 30 x 20cm).
• Spoon one third of the meat sauce into the dish, then cover with some fresh lasagne sheets from a 300g pack. Drizzle over roughly 130g ready-made or homemade white sauce.
• Repeat until you have 3 layers of pasta. Cover with the remaining 390g white sauce, making sure you can't see any pasta poking through.
• Scatter 125g torn mozzarella over the top.
• Arrange the rest of the prosciutto on top. Bake for 45 mins until the top is bubbling and lightly browned.

TRADITIONAL LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble beef and sausage until no longer pink; drain. Add next 7 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add parsley; stir in cottage cheese, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. , Preheat oven to 375°. Spread 1 cup meat sauce in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 3 noodles, provolone cheese, 2 cups cottage cheese mixture, 1 cup mozzarella, 3 noodles, 2 cups meat sauce, remaining cottage cheese mixture and 1 cup mozzarella. Top with remaining noodles, meat sauce and mozzarella (dish will be full)., Cover; bake 50 minutes. Uncover; bake until heated through, about 20 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

MEDITERRANEAN LASAGNA (COOKING LIGHT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add leek and next 4 ingredients (leek through garlic), and sauté 5 minutes. Add artichokes and bell pepper, and sauté 3 minutes. Stir in beans, and remove from heat.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended, and cook until slightly thick (about 4 minutes). Remove from heat. Add feta and 2 tablespoons Parmesan; stir until cheese melts.
• Spread 1/4 cup cheese sauce in bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 2 noodles over cheese sauce; top with half of leek mixture, half of spinach, 1/4 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup cheese sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Pour remaining cheese sauce over noodles, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella and 1 tablespoon Parmesan.
• Cover and bake at 375° for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes or until top is golden. Let stand 5 minutes.