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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

  1. »«Meat Layer»«
  2. 1 - 1 1/2 lb. ground lamb, beef, turkey or chicken
  3. 1 cup dry red wine
  4. 1 large onion, finely minced
  5. 1 large garlic clove, minced
  6. 1 tsp each dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley
  7. 1 tsp or more freshly ground black pepper
  8. 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  9. 2 tbl tomato paste
  10. »«Cheese Sauce»«
  11. 2 cups low-fat milk (or broth)
  12. 3 tbl olive oil
  13. 3 tbl besan or flour
  14. 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  15. 1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  16. 1/8-1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
  17. 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  18. »«Vegetable Layer»«
  19. 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
  20. 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  21. water
  22. »«Cheese Layer»«
  23. 1 1/2-2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
  24. 1 large egg
  25. 1 small to medium garlic clove, minced
  26. 1 tsp dried basil
  27. Fresh ground black pepper
  28. »«Topping»«
  29. 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
  30. 1/4 cup grated parmesan or romano cheese

How to make it

  1. Preheat oven to 375º
  2. Cook cauliflower in boiling, salted water until the stems are just tender
  3. When cooled enough to handle, dice into small pieces
  4. Make cheese sauce: Heat oil in a heavy bottom saucepan
  5. Heat milk in the microwave until hot, but not boiling
  6. Add besan and reduce heat to medium-low
  7. Cook, whisking until emulsified
  8. When besan/flour and oil are emulsified, add about 1/2 cup hot milk and whisk rapidly to prevent lumps
  9. 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
  10. Cook over medium-low heat until thickened
  11. When thickened, turn off heat and add 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, cayenne and nutmeg
  12. Stir until cheese melts and set aside
  13. Meat layer: Brown ground lamb with no oil (lamb is more fatty than other meats) in a large skillet
  14. Add minced onion and 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  15. Cook until onion is translucent, then add garlic and dry herbs
  16. Add tomato paste and stir until well combined with meat mixture
  17. Add red wine and stir and cook briefly until well combined - turn off heat
  18. Cheese layer: in a small mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, egg, garlic, basil and pepper
  19. Combine casserole: Place meat mixture into the bottom of an 8 inch square or 10 inch diameter round casserole dish
  20. Top with cheese layer and spread to cover all
  21. Place the cauliflower in a layer over the cottage cheese
  22. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and spread to cover the cauliflower
  23. 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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