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Pasta-free Lasagna Casserole
This recipe combines a number of parts from various recipes to create a layered, lasagna like casserole...but without any pasta!
What you need
- »«Meat Layer»«
- 1 - 1 1/2 lb. ground lamb, beef, turkey or chicken
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 large onion, finely minced
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp each dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley
- 1 tsp or more freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbl tomato paste
- »«Cheese Sauce»«
- 2 cups low-fat milk (or broth)
- 3 tbl olive oil
- 3 tbl besan or flour
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8-1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- »«Vegetable Layer»«
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- water
- »«Cheese Layer»«
- 1 1/2-2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 small to medium garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Fresh ground black pepper
- »«Topping»«
- 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan or romano cheese
How to make it
- Preheat oven to 375º
- Cook cauliflower in boiling, salted water until the stems are just tender
- When cooled enough to handle, dice into small pieces
- Make cheese sauce: Heat oil in a heavy bottom saucepan
- Heat milk in the microwave until hot, but not boiling
- Add besan and reduce heat to medium-low
- Cook, whisking until emulsified
- When besan/flour and oil are emulsified, add about 1/2 cup hot milk and whisk rapidly to prevent lumps
- When milk is absorbed into the flour/oil mixture, add another half-cup milk. Continue until milk is added and you have a smooth emulsification
- Cook over medium-low heat until thickened
- When thickened, turn off heat and add 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, cayenne and nutmeg
- Stir until cheese melts and set aside
- Meat layer: Brown ground lamb with no oil (lamb is more fatty than other meats) in a large skillet
- Add minced onion and 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- Cook until onion is translucent, then add garlic and dry herbs
- Add tomato paste and stir until well combined with meat mixture
- Add red wine and stir and cook briefly until well combined - turn off heat
- Cheese layer: in a small mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, egg, garlic, basil and pepper
- Combine casserole: Place meat mixture into the bottom of an 8 inch square or 10 inch diameter round casserole dish
- Top with cheese layer and spread to cover all
- Place the cauliflower in a layer over the cottage cheese
- Pour the cheese sauce over the top and spread to cover the cauliflower
- Sprinkle top with grated cheese topping and bake for aproximately 1 hour until top is lightly browned
*You can turn on the broiler for a few minutes to brown up the top more if desired
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