Creamy Mashed Potato Vegetable Lasagna
This delightful Creamy Mashed Potato Vegetable Lasagna is a satisfying one-dish meal that brings together the comforting flavors of rich, creamy mashed potatoes and vibrant, chunky vegetable sauce. Utilizing roasted garlic mashed potatoes for added depth and flavor, each layer of this lasagna harmonizes freshness with heartiness. The combination of fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheeses provides a luscious and creamy texture, perfectly complementing the tender layers of homemade or store-bought lasagna noodles. The robust vegetable sauce, loaded with a mix of onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell peppers, creates a beautiful balance of flavors. This dish not only warms the soul but is also a fantastic way to make use of leftovers creatively. Serve it with a side salad for a complete meal that serves well for gatherings or cozy family dinners.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
23
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh lasagna noodles
12 1/2 ounces (Cooked according to package directions if not using fresh.)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (None.)
Medium onion
1 (Diced.)
Large garlic cloves
4 (Minced.)
Large carrots
2 (Finely diced.)
Large celery ribs
2 (Thinly sliced.)
Bell pepper
1 (Diced.)
Fresh basil
2 tablespoons (Chopped.)
Dried oregano
2 tablespoons (None.)
Fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (Chopped.)
Salt
1 teaspoon (None.)
Pepper
1 teaspoon (None.)
Bay leaf
1 (None.)
Crushed tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (None.)
Eggs
2 (None.)
Cubed mozzarella cheese
4 ounces (Cubed.)
Shredded mozzarella cheese
12 ounces (Shredded.)
Ricotta cheese
1 1/2 lbs (None.)
Grated Romano cheese
1/4 cup (Grated.)
Nutmeg
to taste (Freshly grated.)
Leftover mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cups (None.)
Sliced mozzarella cheese
4 ounces (Sliced.)
Grated Romano cheese
1/8 cup (Grated.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and set aside for the noodles.
3
In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
4
Add minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5
Stir in the diced carrots, celery, and bell peppers. Sauté the vegetable mixture for about 10 minutes or until they begin to soften.
6
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add fresh basil, dried oregano, parsley, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cubed mozzarella, shredded mozzarella, grated Romano cheese, eggs, and freshly grated nutmeg. Mix until well combined and set aside.
8
Once the sauce is ready, remove the bay leaf. In a 9x13 casserole dish, spread about 1 cup of the vegetable sauce evenly on the bottom.
9
Dip two of the lasagna noodles in the boiling water to soften, shake off the excess water, and lay them over the sauce.
10
Spread 1 cup of the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles, followed by 1/2 cup of leftover mashed potatoes and 1 cup of the vegetable sauce.
11
Repeat the layering process two more times: noodles, cheese, mashed potatoes, and sauce.
12
For the final layer, place the last two noodles on top and spread any remaining cheese mixture over them.
13
Arrange sliced mozzarella on top, then finish with the remaining vegetable sauce and a sprinkle of grated Romano cheese.
14
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
15
Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing to let the flavors meld together. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Mashed Potato Vegetable Lasagna?
It is a satisfying one-dish meal that combines creamy mashed potatoes with a vibrant vegetable sauce, fresh mozzarella, and ricotta cheese.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How many layers of lasagna noodles are there?
The recipe involves layering noodles, cheese, potatoes, and sauce three times, topped with a final layer of noodles and cheese.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The vegetable sauce contains onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
How long should the vegetable sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer covered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
What types of cheese are used in the cheese mixture?
The mixture includes ricotta cheese, cubed mozzarella, shredded mozzarella, and grated Romano cheese.
Do I need to use fresh lasagna noodles?
You can use fresh lasagna noodles or store-bought noodles cooked according to package directions.
How much leftover mashed potatoes are needed?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of leftover mashed potatoes.
Is there a specific way to prepare the mashed potatoes?
The recipe suggests using roasted garlic mashed potatoes for added depth and flavor.
What size baking dish should be used?
A 9x13 casserole dish is recommended for this lasagna.
Should I remove the bay leaf from the sauce?
Yes, remove the bay leaf once the sauce is ready and before you begin layering.
How long does the lasagna need to bake?
Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Why should I let the lasagna rest before slicing?
Allowing it to rest for 15 minutes lets the flavors meld together and makes it easier to slice.
How many eggs are used in the recipe?
Two eggs are mixed into the cheese filling.
What is the first step in assembling the lasagna?
Spread about 1 cup of the vegetable sauce evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish.
What herbs are used in the sauce?
Fresh basil, dried oregano, and fresh parsley are used.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 4 large minced garlic cloves.
How is the cheese on the very top of the lasagna prepared?
The top is finished with sliced mozzarella, remaining vegetable sauce, and a sprinkle of grated Romano cheese.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
Two 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes are used for the sauce.
Is there a specific spice added to the cheese mixture?
Yes, freshly grated nutmeg is added to the cheese mixture to taste.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
Sauté the diced onions for about 5 minutes until softened.
How long should the carrots and celery be sautéed?
The carrot, celery, and bell pepper mixture should be sautéed for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used.
Can I use different types of mashed potatoes?
Yes, it is a creative way to use any leftover mashed potatoes you have.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian meal as it contains vegetables, cheese, and no meat.
What is a recommended side dish for this lasagna?
A fresh side salad is suggested for a complete meal.
How much Romano cheese is used in total?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup in the cheese mixture and an additional 1/8 cup for the topping.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed in total?
You need 4 ounces cubed, 12 ounces shredded, and 4 ounces sliced mozzarella.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe consists of 23 ingredients.
How do you prepare the noodles before layering?
Dip the noodles in boiling water to soften and shake off excess water before placing them in the dish.