FAQ
Craving some comfort food? If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, then you might be familiar with the classic dish known as lasagna. But have you ever heard of Dutch oven lasagna? Not only is this deliciously cheesy Italian favorite easy enough to make in your own kitchen, but it also locks in flavor and moisture by baking it all together inside of a Dutch oven.
With the rich flavor combination of layers of noodles, cheese and savory turkey meat all cooked together in a single pot, this Dutch Oven Lasagna recipe sure to become one of your go-to recipes. Whether it’s for an intimate weeknight dinner or an impressive family gathering feast, it will take your pasta night to the next level — and leave everyone begging for more!
How to Make Lasagna in a Dutch Oven
Get ready to delight in all the cheesy goodness with each bite of this hearty lasagna. Plus, you can feel good about serving up something both tasty and healthy – this Dutch Oven Lasagna recipe is an ideal meal for anyone looking to make nutritious meals without compromising on flavor.
Let’s get started on creating some cozy comfort food that everyone will love! Heat up some olive oil in your trusty Dutch oven over medium heat, then add ground turkey. Once the turkey is browned and fully cooked, take it out and set it to the side.
Next, mix up your cheese filling. Grab a bowl and combine part skim ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning and parsley.
Now it’s lasagna building time! Drizzle a bit more olive oil in the bottom of the pot to prevent any sticking. Add some marinara sauce to the bottom of the pot and place a layer of lasagna noodles on top (don’t worry, it’s okay to break them up to fit).
Top that with more sauce, some of the ground turkey, a dollop of the ricotta mixture, and half a cup of mozzarella. Keep layering the ingredients in the same order: Noodles, marinara, turkey, ricotta, mozzarella, noodles, marinara, turkey, ricotta, mozzarella. After the last layer, add one more layer of lasagna noodles, some marinara sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese on top.
Your lasagna is seriously looking amazing! Now it’s time to pop on the lid and bake it in a 350-degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes. (Instead of baking, you could continue to cook it on the stove over low heat for 30-40 minutes.
If you’re looking to add a little extra pizzazz, give it a crispy top! Just broil it for a few minutes to brown the cheese on top. Don’t forget to sprinkle some parsley on top for a delicious garnish! After it’s finished, let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Say “Mangia!” to your new favorite dinner dish.
Healthy Hacks
This recipe makes 12 servings. If you’re on a Nutrisystem weight loss plan, you can count each serving as one SmartCarb, two PowerFuels and two Extras.
Lasagna is a classic, hearty dish that is loved by many. While the traditional recipe calls for layers of pasta, tomato sauce, meat and cheese, there are numerous ways to customize it with different ingredients to suit your taste. Here are some ideas!:
- Meat – Try a different type of meat other than turkey: Ground beef, Italian sausage, and chicken are all popular options.
- Vegetables – Vegetables not only add nutrition to your lasagna, but they also provide added flavor. Some great options include spinach, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms and bell peppers.
- Cheese – There are many other types of cheese you can add to your lasagna. Parmesan and provolone are all some swaps that taste great in Italian cuisine.
- Bechamel Sauce – Bechamel sauce is a creamy white sauce that can be used instead of or in addition to tomato sauce. It’s made with butter, flour and milk and can be flavored with garlic, nutmeg or herbs.
- Pesto – Pesto is another delicious alternative to tomato sauce. It’s made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts and parmesan cheese, and can be spread over the pasta layers for added flavor.
- Seafood – If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add seafood to your lasagna. Shrimp, crab and lobster all work well and can be combined with vegetables or cheese for added flavor.
- Herbs and Spices – Adding herbs and spices is a great way to enhance the flavor of your lasagna. Basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary are all popular options that pair well with tomato sauce and cheese.
With these ingredients, you can create a delicious lasagna that’s customized to your liking. Whether you go for our classic recipe or get creative with your ingredients, lasagna is a dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table!
More Healthy Pasta Dinners
Servings: 12
Calories per Serving: 357
On Nutrisystem, Count As: 1 SmartCarb, 2 PowerFuels and 2 Extras
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. lean ground turkey
- 3 tsp. olive oil
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese, part skim
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley (plus more for garnish)
- 12 sheets no boil/oven ready lasagna noodles
- 5 cups marinara sauce, low sodium
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, part skim
Directions:
- In a Dutch oven, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on a stovetop set to medium.
- Add ground turkey. Once fully cooked, remove the turkey and set aside.
- Mix ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning and parsley. Set aside.
- Drizzle 1 teaspoon of oil in the bottom of the Dutch oven to prevent sticking. Add 1 cup of marinara sauce to the bottom of the pan. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles (breaking the noodles to fit). Then add 1 cup of marinara sauce and 1/3 of the ground turkey.
- Place a spoonful of the ricotta mixture over the ground turkey and add 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Continue layering the ingredients in this order: Noodles, marinara, turkey, ricotta, mozzarella, noodles, marinara, turkey, ricotta, mozzarella.
- After the last layer, top with one more layer of lasagna noodles, 1 cup of marinara, and 1/2 cup cheese.
- Place the lid on the Dutch oven. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees OR continue to cook on the stove over low heat for 30-40 minutes.
- Optional: After it's done cooking, broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese.
- Garnish with more chopped parsley. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
