Vegetarian Recipe: Vegetable Cheese Lasagna

There are times when a vegetarians want to indulge in warm, delicious lasagna. However lasagna sold in stores would most likely have meat and animal by-products in them. Lasagna is also a time consuming and needs a lot of effort to be prepared. This recipe is especially suitable for vegetarians who want easy-to-make but delicious lasagna.

Ingredients:

• 9 lasagna strips

Vegetable Tomato Sauce:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 can ( 14 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• salt and ground black pepper

Ricotta Cheese Filling:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• salt and ground black pepper
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. In an 8 cup casserole dish combine the oil, onions and garlic. Microwave uncovered at high (100 %) power for 2 minutes or until softened. Add the tomato sauce, pepper, zucchini , basil and oregano; season with salt and pepper. Microwave covered at high for 10 to 12 minutes, or until vegetables are tender, stirring once. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, egg and parsley; season with salt and pepper. To assemble the lasagna; In a shallow 2 quart baking dish, spoon some of the tomato vegetable sauce on bottom. Layer with 3 lasagna noodles. Spread half of the remaining vegetable tomato sauce over and cover with 3 more lasagna noodles. Spread ricotta filling over noodles and cover with remaining noodles. Top with remaining tomato vegetable sauce.
2. Cover with vented plastic wrap and microwave at high for 5 minutes. Rotate dish and microwave at medium (50%) power for 6 to 8 minutes or until center is hot and lasagna pasta are tender.
3. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Microwave uncovered at medium for 1 or 2 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Let stand, covered for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

NOTE:
This recipe also can be prepared in the oven.