9th Penny Pinching Party • Jen's Vegetable Lasagna

Okay, okay, okay. I have finally taken the time to type up one of my most asked for recipes, my Vegetable Lasagna. It has sort of been my secret recipe for many years and I have selfishly kept it to myself. My mom started making this recipe when I was a teenager and it was one of the first recipes I learned. Over the years I have made my own modifications. My kids have never liked the texture of cottage cheese and my daughter gets a rash from too much dairy, so I use tofu. It looks just like cottage cheese and adds much more nutrition to the dinner.

This lasagna takes a little longer to make, but is so worth it.

I think any recipe qualifies for my Penny Pinching Party because cooking is almost always healthier and cheaper than eating out. This is also a great recipe to make if you have fresh vegetables from the garden.

Jen's Vegetable Lasagna

Sauce:

1 onion, chopped (chop 2 and save 2nd for layer 3)
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tsp. olive oil
1 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 cans tomato sauce
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. pepper

Saute onions and garlic in oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, 1 cup water, basil, salt, oregano and pepper.
Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Layer 1 - Noodles
9 lasagna noodles cooked in boiling salted water.

Layer 2 - Tofu Mixture
1 C cottage cheese or 1/2 block soft tofu
1/2 C grated parmesan cheese
1 T chopped fresh parsley
1/2 t. pepper

Combine these 4 ingredients in a bowl.

Layer 3 - Vegetables
2 med. zucchini, sliced
2 med. carrots, sliced thin
4 oz. mushrooms, sliced thin
1 small onion, chopped
1 pkg (10 oz.) fresh spinach (frozen works)

In a nonstick skillet, coated with vegetable oil over med-high heat, saute vegetables until tender, adding water 1 T at a time as needed to keep vegetables from sticking.

Layer 4 - Mozzarella
1/2 - 1 lb. mozzarella cheese shredded

Assembling:
In a 12x9 pan add 1/2 C sauce, 3 noodles, 1/3 the tofu mixture, 1/3 the vegetables, 1/3 mozzarella and some sauce. Repeat layering ending with some sauce and remaining mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake 15-20 minutes at 400 until hot.

Click HERE for a printable version.

And now for the Party!

Welcome to my 9th Penny Pinching Party. This is a party that I host every Wednesday where you can link up any post that has to do with saving money or stretching a buck.

Rules:

*Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address.

*Link back to the party from your post so everyone can join in the fun!

If you have my Penny Pinching Party button on your blog, I may feature you when I highlight my favorite Penny Pinching ideas in a future post.

*You have until Sunday to get your link up.

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday everyone!!!