Yummy Artichoke Lasagna
Lasagna is a great Italian dish that is delicious no matter how you make it. Make it the traditional way or in a slightly different, gourmet way, adding artichoke hearts to the recipe.
The beauty is that you can bake this in the conventional oven or in a large enough microwave oven. The amazing thing is that either way it tastes great!
Hover over the highlighted Keywords below for Images and/or Description of some of the Ingredients:
Black Pepper, Cayenne, Garlic Cloves, Olive Oil, Tomatoes
SLIDE SHOW :
Yummy Artichoke Lasagna
Print recipe| Serves | 4 |
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 25 minutes |
| Total time | 30 minutes |
| Dietary | Diabetic, Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish |
| Misc | Pre-preparable, Serve at Room Temperature, Serve Hot |
| Region | Italian |
Ingredients
- 9 Lasagna Noodles (cooked according to package directions)
- 18 pieces Artichoke Hearts (Cut into chunks; see picture)
- 1 Onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Bell Pepper (finely chopped)
- 6 - 8 cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 can Tomato Sauce
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 - 2 teaspoon Italian Spice Blend
- 1 teaspoon Basil (dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (fresh ground)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (finely grated)
- 4 - 6 tablespoons Olive Oil (or any cooking oil)
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (Grated)
- 1 cup Cottage Cheese (or Ricotta Cheese)
Directions
| Making the Sauce | |
| Step 1 | |
Place a deep frypan on medium heat. Add oil. When oil gets hot, add the onion, bell pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir fry for 2 minutes. | |
| Step 2 | |
Add the garlic. Cook for 5 more minutes, or until the veggies are cooked. | |
| Step 3 | |
Add the tomato sauce, the diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt and all the spices. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the cottage cheese or ricotta cheese. Mix well. | |
| Preparing the Lasagna | |
| Step 4 | |
| Cook Lasagna according to package directions. Drain. | |
| Step 5 | |
In a 13 x 9 casserole baking dish, spray or spread cooking oil. If you are going to use the microwave oven, make sure the casserole baking pan is microwave safe. Also make sure that the dish will fit in your microwave oven. | |
| Step 6 | |
Place 3 lasagna noodles lengthwise. Add a layer of the sauce mixture over the noodles. Add a layer of mozarella cheese over the sauce. | |
| Step 7 | |
| Place 3 more lasagna noodles on top of the cheese layer. Add a layer of mozarella cheese over the sauce. If you don't have, or don't want to use much mozzarella cheese, skip this step. | |
| Step 8 | |
|
Place the last 3 lasagna noodles on top of the cheese layer. Place the artichoke heart pieces on top. See picture.  | |
| Step 9 | |
|
Add the last layer of the sauce mixture over the noodles. Add the last layer of mozarella cheese over the sauce.  | |
| Baking the Lasagna in a conventional oven | |
| Step 10 | |
| Preheat the oven to 375 degrees f. | |
| Step 11 | |
|
Place the casserole dish in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is thoroughly melted.  | |
| Step 12 | |
|
If you prefer a crusty, crispy top, you can set the oven to "Low Broil", and place the baked dish for a couple of minutes in the oven. Make sure to watch every minute so that the lasagna does not get burnt. As soon as the top is slightly golden brown, remove the casserole from the oven and set it on the counter top.  | |
| Baking the Lasagna in a microwave oven | |
| Step 13 | |
|
Place the casserole dish in a large microwave oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is thoroughly melted.  | |
| Step 14 | |
Remove the casserole dish from the microwave oven and set it on the counter top. | |
| Finish and Enjoy | |
| Step 15 | |
Cut the lasagna into slices, in sizes that you prefer. Serve hot. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top if you like. Enjoy! | |
