Here’s a turkey vegetable lasagna recipe that the whole family will enjoy. It is a meal in itself complete with all four food groups when you add meat to the sauce.
Making a turkey vegetable lasagna is a fun and educational cooking activity that you can do with your kids. The easiest way to work with young kids in the kitchen is to demonstrate the actions you would like them to do first. Children learn best by watching and imitating others. Because a lasagna is made in layers this works perfectly. You can demonstrate the first layer, and then allow your child to give it a try.
Another technique is to have your child go through the motions with you. For example, I allowed my daughter to hold the spoon with me as I scooped sauce into the pan until she wanted to give it a try on her own. This won’t be necessary if you are working with an older child.
Turkey Vegetable Lasagna Recipe Ingredients:
- No-boil lasagna noodles (let’s just cut that boiling the noodles step right out shall we?)
- 1 package of mozzarella cheese
Ricotta Mixture:
- 15 oz ricotta Cheese
- 1 egg
- pinch of nutmeg (this is the secret to the best-tasting lasagna)
- 10 oz frozen chopped spinach (frozen is easiest to work with when making lasagna because the volume is reduced – make sure you defrost it and squeeze all the water out before you use it)
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup shredded carrots (optional)
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup shredded zucchini (optional)
- 1/8 cup of grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Sauce:
I recommend having the sauce prepared in advance and ready to go. How to Turn Pasta Sauce into a Healthy Meal contains the recipe for the sauce I make. I added ground turkey to the lasagna pictured above. Vegetarian? Leave the meat out.
You’ll also need:
- Lasagna Pan
- Medium bowl for ricotta mixture
- Measuring cups
- Mixing Spoon for ricotta and a serving spoon to ladle sauce.
How to Make Turkey Vegetable Lasagna: Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather Ingredients
- Place all ingredients on a counter or table where you will have room to work with your child(ren). We used my daughter’s toddler table so she would have an easy time working.
2. Grade Mozzarella Cheese
3. Prepare Ricotta Mixture
- Have your child help grate the carrot and zucchini if you are including them.
- Next, help your child measure and spoon all ingredients into the bowl. This is great preparation for later math and science learning.
- Have your child mix it up. Give it a quick stir yourself. Set aside.
4. Layer Lasagna
- Cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of sauce.
- Add a layer of no-boil noodles. (Place them about 1/2 inch apart, they expand when they cook.)
- Place a spoonful of ricotta mixture on top of each noodle. Spread it evenly with your hands or spoons. (Using clean hands adds a fun sensory experience to the mix.)
- Add a layer of sauce on top of the ricotta.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese
- Place another layer of no-boil noodles and repeat layers in the same order 3 – 4 times. (Noodles, ricotta, sauce, cheese – repeat)
- Finish by spooning the remaining sauce around the edges of the lasagna and sprinkling one last layer of cheese on top.
5. Allow to Lasagna to Rest & Pre-heat Oven
- Cover and allow the lasagna to rest for about 20 – 30 minutes before cooking. This gives the no-boil noodles time to get moist enough to cook properly. You also have the option of preparing it in the morning and throwing it in the fridge for later.
- Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F
6. Cook Lasagna
- Place in oven heated to 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- Remove the cover and cook for another 10 – 15 minutes.
- The sides will be bubbling and it will start to look golden brown.
7. Eat and Enjoy!
- Allow to rest 5 – 10 minutes before serving.
This is a delicious lasagna that you can customize to make your own. Putting it together with your kids is fun, educational, and a lot easier than trying to cook with them pulling at your pant legs. It may take a little longer, but it’s worth it.
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