Lasagna Recipe

Finding foods that the boys both like can be quite tricky at the best of times as one eats really well, whereas the other is only eats a handful of main dinners. Some kids who are on the spectrum struggle with foods as this is due to their sensory needs and will have what is called safe foods (before anyone comes at me, not its not child abuse and no, my child won’t eat if he’s hungry). One of the boys safe foods is Lasagna. We found early on that they both absolutely love it and I wanted to try and semi homemake it on a regular basis for them, but on a budget. I will be honest and I declare that I use a jar of white sauce as I am completely rubbish at making it and the boys hated the taste every time I make it. Most of the ingredients I use are supermarket own versions and whatever I could find that was the cheapest.

Having spent the last few years working on a small budget for food shop, I wanted to write a series of recipes that didn’t break the bank and foods that you may of already had in the cupboard. I have written a blog on how I do our food shopping, check it out here.

With this recipe, you may have some mince mixture left over which you can freeze for another meal. Also this recipe is a bit of a two in one as you can use the mince mixture part of the recipe for a spaghetti Bolognese and just cook up some spaghetti instead of making it into a lasagna.

Ingredients (makes 4)

• 1 packet of 500g Mince
• 1 carton of passata
• 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
• 2 beef stock cubes
• 1 red wine stock cube, mixed with 100ml of boiling water (optional)
• 1 TBSP Italian herbs/mixed herbs
• 1 TSP garlic powder/ 1 clove of garlic crushed
• 1 TBSP plain flour (can use gluten free)
• 1 TBSP Worcester sauce
• 1 courgette, grated
• 1 Carrot, grated
• 1 Celery stick, thinly sliced
• 100g mushrooms
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 TBSP tomato puree
• 1 TBSP oil/few spray of flora light spray
• 1 Jar of white sauce (yes I cheat on the white sauce)
• 6-10 lasagna pasta sheets
• 60g grams of your choice of cheese, grated

Method

1. Heat the oil/frying spray in a large frying/saucing pan on a medium heat. Add the mince and brown for approx 5 mins. After 5 mins, drain off most of the fat.
2. If using, after 5 mins add in the red wine stock and cook for 2-5 mins until its almost evaporated. Add the flour and mix. Add in the tomato puree, mix and cook for 1 min. Add all the vegetables (including garlic and onion), turn the heat down to low. cook for 5 mins.
3. Add in the passata, chopped tomatoes, stock cubes, worchester sauce and the herbs, mix and simmer for 30 mins.
4. While that’s cooking, preheat the oven at 180.
5. Once the mince mixture has cooked, time to start layering the lasagna. Put two ladles of the mixture into the lasagna dish, layer some of the lasagna sheets on top and put of the white sauce (1/4-1/2 jar) on top. Repeat for another layer or two. Once you’ve got our desired number of layers, sprinkle your grated cheese on top and place in the oven. Cook for 25-30 mins.
6. Once cooked, serve with your favourite accompaniments.