Top Secret Lasagna

One of my favorites. Are you ready for a challenge? This is a complicated recipe but it is worth it. I do not make it often for the fact that it is labor intensive. This will for sure test your ability to muli-task but the depth of flavor you get with all the ingredients is totally worth it. I like to refer to this one as a show stopper meal. It will impress people and on top of that it is healthy. YES, I just dropped the top secret/secret part of this recipe. It has ton of veggies mixed in. I once made this for some family and they raved about it. I had a slight happy smirk all dinner knowing I got them to eat a healthy lasagna. Here it is in all it's complicated cheesy goodness.

What you need~                         

1 pound ground turkey

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg

Optional seasonings (Nature seasoning, Mrs. dash, red pepper flakes, garlic & onion powder, basil, oregano thyme)

1 onion (chopped)

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1/2 cups tomato paste

3 cups crushed tomatoes

2 cups fat-free cottage cheese

2 eggs

1/2 cups parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup shredded zucchini

1 cup mushrooms (chopped)

2 cups fresh spinach

8 oven-ready lasagna noodles

2 cups Italian cheese (reduced-fat, blend)

 

Let the fennel heat up in some olive oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sauté turkey with fennel seeds, seasonings.

Add onion and continue to sauté until tender.
Add garlic and tomato paste.
Sauté for 3-5 minutes.
Add crushed tomatoes.
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Mix cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, mushrooms, carrot, zucchini, spinach, garlic salt and nutmeg together.























Build lasagna.








Put a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the lasagna pan.
Place 4 lasagna noodles over sauce.
Top with 1/3 of sauce.
Top with 1/2 cheese mixture.
Place remaining 4 lasagna noodles.
Top with the rest of the cheese mixture.
Top noodles with remaining sauce.
Cover all with Italian cheese blend.
Bake covered with foil at 350 for 1 hour.
Uncover for last 15 minutes to brown cheese.










 As with any recipe I have please season as you go. Make sure to taste. I have measurements for the strong spices in the recipe. The rest is up to you to do.









It is delightful. On a cold night it hit the spot with it's melted cheese and rich flavor. I know it is a ton of work but that is what makes it special.

I love making this for the leftovers too!


Until next time~
XoXo Emily