I have been making this lasagna for many (9!) years now and I love it. When I still lived at home with my mom and sisters I would cook most nights and every time I made this vegetable lasagna the whole family enjoyed it. It's a nice way to do "Italian Night" and still be meatless for me and also get some veggies in for everyone else. :)

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package lasagna noodles
1 pound ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced (less if you don't love garlic like I do :))
3/4 cup chopped carrots
2 small heads of broccoli, washed and chopped
1 cup chopped zucchini
1 cup chopped squash
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
black pepper

Directions:

1) In a large pot boil water and salt. Add lasagna noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, drain and set aside.

2) In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, parmesan cheese, parsley, basil and ground black pepper. Stir to blend; set aside.

3) Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Saute the onions for about 5 minutes and then add carrot slices and garlic and saute about 3 minutes. Then, add broccoli, zucchini and squash. Stir all together, reduce heat to medium and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Pour veggies into the ricotta mixture and mix well.

4) Preheat oven to 350F

5) Pour some spaghetti sauce into a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread over the bottom. Place 3 strips of lasagna lengthwise in the dish, then place about 2 cups of the filling over the pasta. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the filling and then pour a little spaghetti sauce. Repeat layer of 3 lasagna noodles, 2 cups of filling, sprinkle mozzarella and spaghetti sauce. Then cover with last 3 lasagna noodles and pour the rest of the sauce over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella/parmesan if you so desire. :)

6) Bake at 350F for 1 hour and then let it sit for about 10 minutes so it firms up.

We had James' mom over for dinner the other day and we served the vegetable lasagna with my "famous" salad and homemade bread that we buttered and toasted in the oven. I'll have to share what I do for my salad one day. It's super easy, but I love it and eat it almost every night. :)

Stay tuned and on Thursday I'll be sharing one of my "kitchen helpers!" :)

Vegetable Lasagna