Broccoli Alfredo Lasagna

Broccoli Alfredo Lasagna

Serves 8

• 16 oz lasagna noodles
• 2 C. washed and chopped broccoli
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 2 C. ricotta cheese
• 1 C. shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 C. cream cheese
• 3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
• 1 Lb. Alfredo sauce (I used Ragú)
• a dash of salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and boil separate pots of water for the broccoli and lasagna noodles. Cook until both broccoli and noodles are tender and then drain.

    

2. In a food processor, mix the broccoli, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp onion powder. Make the mixture very smooth with no chunks of broccoli.
3. In a mixing bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1 tsp of garlic powder and 2 Tbsp of Parmesan cheese. Mix until well blended.  Set aside to layer on the lasagna.

 

4. In another mixing bowl, pour a jar of Alfredo sauce and broccoli mixtures. Mix until well blended and set aside.
5. Spray your 9 X 13 pan with non stick spray and start the layering process with:

•   a layer of noodles
•   1/2 the mixture of ricotta and cream cheese mixture
•    another layer of noodles
•    1/2 the mixture of broccoli-Alfredo sauce
•    layer of noodles
•    remaining cheese mix and broccoli-Alfredo sauce (sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella)      
•    finish with the remaining noodles

      6. Bake for 45 minutes at 350°F .
                          -I like to let it cool for about 5 minutes before cutting pieces.

You can very easily make this dish healthier by using fat free cheeses and whole wheat noodles. I did see in the grocery store that Ragú makes lite Alfredo sauce but it was a little more than I wanted to spend. For this recipe, I used low fat ricotta and cream cheese. Next time I will probably go for the low fat mozzarella and the lite Alfredo, even though Brandon hates my healthier options for meals and can always tell when I use low fat or fat free options (especially with cheese).  Speaking of Brandon, here's his review:

Hello Internet,

Brandon here and this is my follow up written review.  I really hate giving out so many high and positive reviews because once that is done the reader is always left wondering if there is ever going to be a bad one.  It's just like watching travel shows where the host goes and eats at different restaurants each week.  Every time he eats the food (with the owner standing right next to him), he goes on and on about how good it is.  As I'm watching, I can't help but think that the host's review is probably not very accurate.  There has to be one bad meal out there somewhere.  Most times I watch just hoping that the host will suddenly make a sour face and spit the food out.  Unfortunately for our readers, Sam's food really hasn't been bad enough to make me want to spit it out........yet.  I give this meal 9.8 smacks out of a possible 10.  A truly creative and delicious meal that I will want to eat over and over again.

Sincerely,
Brandon