Lasagna is the embodiment of comfort food. Its hearty, filling stick to your ribs kind of food that is quintessentially Italian. Its also a great family dish because you can make a large dish of this and every one can get a huge helping. There are so many versions of lasagna these days - traditional versions with minced beef and simple tomato sauce to gourmet versions with mince and sausage and bacon with several types of cheese.
I love to put a spin on traditional lasagna recipes simply because ..well its Uzo's Food Labs after all. Unexpected big flavors is what I do. I also use the opportunity to add as many vegetables as possible to ensure my picky hubby gets his share of healthy stuff without having me stand over him with a wooden spoon.
For this version, I added a bit of Nigerian flavor by seasoning the mince with some suya spice. You will need:
500g mixed minced meat - I like to use minced beef and chicken. Feel free any kind that you prefer
1 large red onion - diced
3 cloves of crushed garlic
Half a red bell pepper - diced
Half a green bell pepper - diced
Half a yellow bell pepper - diced
1 small marrow - peeled, seeds removed and diced
Suya spice to taste - start with 1 tablespoon
1 chicken stock cube
Salt and black pepper to taste
Lasagna sheets
Tomato sauce - you can use a good quality brand of your choice
White sauce - you can use a good quality brand of your choice
Mozzarella cheese - cut into small cubes. Since my son loves lasagna but is not a fan of very strong cheese, mozzarella works for me. However, you can use a combination of cheeses of that you like
Directions:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoZn93xhp5PWPdImTPRwGtl_FqjGBtmaLf2ngOBQe6tRAb2lX6qKvtYscmRssancCmyEAFfIBvtW-1WdSMkLzjW0N_uCtXaRw9B8PwS-nZ0TO87oRJORgCk2Vv567v8Do4Vk5XiBhu3s4/s1600/2015-02-09+09.46.10.jpg) |
In a large sauce pan, add the minced meat mix and cook for about 5 minutes . Add the onions, garlic, vegetables and spices and stir to combine. Cook until minced meat and vegetables are cooked through. Taste and adjust all seasonings if necessary |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp9Fa9fcAknH9pyebhQwEqBlDDyqvDXq7OOiAsrpaGMnZSPvQGO4vV8scb4ggt56tCfa_YOuoQuOZkPQGKme2iwiAehG4tLQtW8Xu1r_32LZjdElvUFHCIyxl0mIsU8za8QeG0-E0YRzp/s1600/2015-02-09+09.47.08.jpg) |
Add the tomato sauce to the mince and vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes and taste and adjust seasonings if necessary |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9c9oLfx3B3GHaaj7sWwtOHSCALLKAS6sHs1EEC5e4VI6ERn3o6cHODZNi8vKkTC09rXG9czrJs1CS-swWE8AXG-piS7i3K4p3Zuyab9s_3EbRp4rNHGtKdI2WfPEswL3JSE3oup0RxnHq/s1600/2015-02-09+09.48.48.jpg) |
In a rectangular oven safe dish, spoon some of the tomato/mince mix onto the bottom of the dish. place enough of the lasagna sheets to fit the dish |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMcbdcnO8VOq4tFmbG9qNjtraITnKBFdg7DyD7pfH1DOoV6BprksJQ0VqrXhqcAILOb7kQuoKibmlbtronPRwnmB_dkoh3n0S4dd3TyEhbnGUjvKyBs1YVyRKeNb-BIboenzYN6z839Sf/s1600/2015-02-09+09.50.10.jpg) |
Spoon the tomato/mince/vegetable mixture over the sheets, add a layer of the white sauce and repeat the process until dish is full |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr8pILTkA6kYgZrkPpKfkS1lNyk6Z3BUGuZYdNKTbhyphenhyphenPKItKXMU54Zm7UNgIPWquCn628H6cwOnCoroMn1qWpfKFUQyTh4SY54qBNzD1G4vke5iX5V1lL7ow2JRxrW8JI7CeH-q_zl-7I/s1600/2015-02-09+09.50.56.jpg) |
Top the final layer with the cubed cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 300 degrees for about 25 minutes (check the packet of the Lasagna sheets for manufacturers suggested cooking time) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKyDplvgVNTm6p7bN1USQJPTFM9MvncyinJYnEu2s-Lfxpzw4Wupy0kq6V3xKBju00fB5Ci15TAiqp3r0SNeWvTc0M-4JqCDbRtU09TD6T1PgdVJLi4Nn3er7WSAKvKemcl5ZOMuU4WXz/s1600/2015-02-09+09.51.45.jpg) |
Let lasagna rest for about 10 minutes before cutting and serving to give the cheese a chance to cool down. Scalding cheese is not sexy |
I usually serve a salad with lasagna which also helps to cut the richness of the meal. A perfect meal for a large family and leftovers are good for lunch boxes too.
Enjoy!!!