One Pan Lasagne. Really.
hey, let's eat. I do like to eat. but....I don't really like to cook. I do like to bake. This is one of my favorite recipes for One Pan Lasagne. Oh sure, you say. No wait ! This is ONE PAN. Not a big pot, and a colander, and a baking pan...Oh no no no. One pan. Put in oven. Bake. Eat.
....back in the olde days I took great pride in my ability to get dinner on the table by 6 ish. I was so organized! with 3 kids and an ex that thought feeding the family was as easy as calling out for pizza delivery, I had to stay organized, and collect fast, easy and cheap, and oh yeah, mostly vegetarian and super-healthy recipes.
These days, I do make a good dinner, and we eat well, but .....let's just say, I love the microwave and the toaster oven.
One Pan Lasagne. Really.
Measuring cup, a spoon or 2, grated or sliced cheeses (about a pound or less, use less if you want to use some cottage or ricotta cheese, or some cream cheese), a jar of spaghetti sauce (or make a quart of your own), a bottle of tomato juice, some water, oil, a box of lasagne noodles (those long ones), foil, an oven, and one lonely little 13" x 9" baking pan.
Here we go........ Turn the oven on to 350 degrees to pre-heat.
First, Pour into the baking pan about a Tablespoon of oil and a 1/2 Cup of water.
Start to lay down a layer of DRY lasagne noodles, pour on about 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce, and over that spread 1/3 of your cheese(s). (here's where I added that spinach)
Repeat this 2 or 3 times.
Finish up with some sprinkles of grated cheese.
Here's the big secret: Pour 1 cup of tomato juice down the sides of the pan that is now full of raw lasagne goodness. Really. See pictures below. Cover this amazing goodness with foil,
put it in your hot 350 degree oven for a half hour, then take off the foil, and continue baking for 15 minutes more. Turn off the oven, and let the lasagne rest for 15 minutes or so, before enjoying!
So, here's what I used.....a jar of Artichoke Okie dokie spaghetti sauce, a can of spinach, some sour cream ( I forgot to buy ricotta!), some Parmesan, a chunk of cheddar, and a box of lasagne noodles.
You have my permission to add olives or whatever. Personally, I think olives are great, but they are really best when put on your fingertips while pretending you are Mickey Mouse.
That doesn't make much sense, but that's what we did as kids, before they invented video tapes.
Here we go....layering layering layering.........
Instead of boring old tomato juice......I used V8. "I could have had a V8!"
Now I am pouring the V8 on the sides.......Really!
Then I covered it with foil......use your imagination, and popped it in the oven and set the timer.......
And since I had the V8 juice already out........and I had extra in my measuring cup....Oh what the hell! Let's get out the vodka!!!
and make a Kitchen Bloody Mary, with Don't Forgetta the Mezzetta !
plop in a few chunks of the Mezzetta veggie goodness and Vodka !
Mezzetta Italian Mix Giardiniera vegetables......
Yes, another thing from my hometown!
Is the lasagne cool? yes. well, then ....
Oh My Gosh !! Yum Yum Yum.......yum yum yum ....yum......
That's it. I swear. Be sure to let it cool, and then eat it.
You can make this ahead, like in the morning.... and bake later, or bake it and save it!
I'd also like to remind you ....I did this without a staff....no stylist, no photo editor, and just a point and shoot camera.
That's how I roll......or layer, whatev'.
