Cheesy Lasagna for Leftover Meatloaf
This clever recipe turns leftover meatloaf into a deliciously hearty lasagna. A vegetable-rich tomato sauce is simmered with onions, carrots, fennel, and garlic, then layered with crumbled meatloaf, no-boil noodles, and a blend of Italian cheeses seasoned with basil. Baked until bubbling and golden, it's a satisfying Italian-inspired one-dish meal that serves eight.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 cups your favorite pasta sauce
- 1 1/2-2 cups crumbled leftover meatloaf
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 3 carrots, finely chopped
- 1 fennel bulb, finely chopped
- 7 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded pecorino cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped fine
- 1/4 cup shredded adiago cheese
- 1 (12 ounce) package no-boil lasagna noodles
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan.
- Fry the onions, carrots, fennel, garlic, and chopped red pepper for 7-8 minutes until the onions and carrots begin to soften and colour.
- Pour the pasta sauce into the pan and add the ground red pepper.
- Lower the heat, cover the pan, and cook for 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender, stirring now and then.
- As the sauce cooks, combine all the cheeses in a bowl, then mix in the basil and Italian seasoning.
- Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a 3 qt baking dish.
- Place a single layer of lasagne noodles on the base of the dish.
- Spread one third of the sauce over the noodles, then scatter half of the crumbled meatloaf on top.
- Sprinkle one quarter of the cheese mixture over the meatloaf.
- Repeat this exact layering two more times, remembering to alternate the direction of the noodles with each new layer and to reserve some cheese for the top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese mixture over the lasagne, and return to the oven for 8 minutes until the top is bubbling and the pasta is cooked.
- Allow the lasagne to stand for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
Sodium888000 mg
Recipe details
CategoryOne Dish Meal
Cuisineitalian
Authorlove4culinary