Name: Vegetarian Lasagna
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups mozzarella, shredded; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 9 no boil lasagna noodles; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb fresh spinach; 15 ounces ricotta cheese, (use whole milk or part skim); 1 large egg; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/8 tsp nutmeg; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tbsp olive oil; 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced thin; 3 carrots, diced; 4 stalks celery, diced; 1 large onion, diced; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes; 24 ounce tomato sauce; 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tbsp sugar; salt and pepper

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl combine the mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese. Set aside.Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large cast iron pot. Add in spinach and cook until wilted.

2

Add cooked spinach to a large bowl with ricotta, egg, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.

3

Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and butter to the same pan the spinach was cooked in. Add in mushrooms and cook over medium high heat until golden brown.

4

Add in carrots, celery and onion to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are golden brown.Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.

5

Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and sugar. Stir to combine and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6

Ladle 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole dish.

7

In this order layer: 3 lasagna noodles (or as many as you can fit), 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture 1/3 of the mozzarella / cheddar shredded cheese and 1/4 of the sauce. Repeat until all of the sauce, noodles and cheese are used making sure to use the remaining cheese for topping.

8

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the lasagna is bubbling and golden brown on top. If it is starting to get to brown cover with foil.

9

Allow lasagna to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.